Volunteer of the Year Awards - Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations (formerly known as Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau)

2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards

Nominations are now open for the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards!

The 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards presented by the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations (The Association) recognizes the 2021 Individual Volunteer of the Year and Corporate Volunteer of the Year living/operating in the Grande Prairie region for outstanding contributions to the community through their support and acts of volunteerism.
The awards recognize the commitment and the impact volunteers have had on a not-for-profit organization(s) in the Grande Prairie region over the last twelve-month period (November 2020 through October 2021).
Nominations can be made by; not-for-profit/voluntary organizations, community groups, education institutions, levels of government or individuals. THIS YEAR BUSINESSES CAN NOMINATE THEMSELVES!
The Awards are presented annually at the International Volunteer Day celebration. This year's Celebration is on December 6th, 2021. Those selected will be notified before the event to confirm attendance.

To Nominate an individual or corporation for the Volunteer of the Year Award, fill out and submit the corresponding nomination form:

Individual Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form

Corporate Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 2ND, 2021

Eligibility

An individual/corporation whose volunteer efforts have played a significant role during the last twelve-month period and currently volunteering in the Grande Prairie region.

What makes a good Nomination:

When reviewing the nomination forms for Corporate Volunteers, we look for:

- a high level of community involvement
- the total amount of volunteering hours
- the overall percentage of employees involved in volunteering
- the scope of the Company commitment to volunteerism
- the impact their contributions have had on the organization(s) they have supported the past twelve months.
- we also look at whether they have a corporate policy on community involvement and volunteerism.

For Individual Volunteers, we look for:

- a high level of involvement
- the total amount of volunteering hours
- creativity of volunteerism
- the scope of an Individual's commitment to volunteerism
- the impact their contributions have had on the organizations they volunteered for in the past twelve months.

When completing a nomination form, we suggest that you consult with your Nominee. Find out what other organizations and programs they are supporting/involved with, so you are submitting a complete perspective of their community involvement. You may wish to include letters of support for your Nominee from other agencies they support. Having letters from multiple organizations assists the committee members to picture the total scope of the Nominee commitment to the volunteer sector.

To Nominate an individual or corporation for the Volunteer of the Year Award, fill out and submit the corresponding nomination form:

Individual Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form

Corporate Volunteer of the Year Nomination Form

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 2ND, 2021

About the Awards

The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations (formerly known as the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau) launched the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009. The award honours an extraordinary individual living in the Grande Prairie region for their volunteer contributions in the most recent twelve-month period for their considerable impact within the community.

In 2013 we added the Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize a company or business that, through its staff and policies supporting volunteerism, created an impact on a not-for-profit organization(s) in the last twelve months.

Along with the Volunteer of the Year Awards, the Association presents the Outstanding Members of the Community Awards. These awards pay tribute to individuals, groups and businesses who have improved the quality of life in the community through volunteer work.

Individual Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by:

Corporate Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by:

Past Volunteer of the Year Awards Recipients:

	Volunteer of the Year	Corporate Volunteer of the Year
2020	Wendy Doucet	Grassroots Realty Group
2019	Leanne Van Wagner	Executive Driving Services
2018	Cayla Kushnirak	Revolution Auto Group
2017	Dawn Torrance	Swiss Chalet
2016	Deb Courvoisie	Unique Home Concepts
2015	Cliff Turner	ATB Financial
2014	Shannon Dunfield	Horizon North Manufacturing
2013	Ojone Eche-Ameh	Servus Credit Union
2012	Jennifer Douglas
2011	Cheryl Weaver
2010	Roy Bickell
2009	Terry McConville

2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards

In recognition of International Volunteer Day the Grande Prairie Volunteer Service Bureau and sponsors presented the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The GPVSB launched the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009. The award honours an extraordinary resident of the Grande Prairie region whose volunteer contributions in the most recent twelve month period made a considerable impact within the community. In 2013 we added the Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize a company or business that, through its staff and policies supporting volunteerism, made an impact on a not-for-profit organization in the last twelve months. Along with the Volunteer of the Year Awards the GPVSB presented the Outstanding Volunteer in the Community awards that recognizes individuals, groups and businesses who have improved quality of life in the community through volunteer work.

This year we also partnered with the City of Grande Prairie to present their annual volunteer awards: the George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing individuals who have made a major contribution in the areas of recreation, culture, or social services to the community; and the Bill Bowes Volunteer Organization of the Year Award recognizing volunteer organizations or foundations in Grande Prairie that have provided outstanding contributions to the community through meritorious service, voluntary contributions and exemplary community development having a direct, positive effect on residents of the City of Grande Prairie.

A video compilation for this year’s awards is available at https://youtu.be/ofCobE_1jGY.

The 2020 Winners are:

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Wendy Doucet

Wendy’s contribution across several organizations has made a significant impact in the community but none more so than her efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to local seniors and the elderly.

Wendy has been a volunteer with Friends of Grande Spirit for 14 years. When COVID hit Wendy immediately stepped up, translating policy into best practice; implementing public health recommendations into the fabric of everyday life for seniors, staff and visitors. Temperature checks, social distancing, masks, hygiene practice were her mantra and it saved lives. As a direct result of her work Grande Spirit Foundation did not experience the rampant spread of the disease that they so easily could have.

Wendy goes wherever she is needed to help. During Easter and Thanksgiving she organized and delivered 300 meals to independent seniors’ homes in the area. She is working on the Christmas meal and delivery plan as we speak. Of course, to have the funds to supply these meals there are many events that must take place. Wendy tirelessly helps organize and run these events.

On Grandparents Day Wendy delivered 100’s of cupcakes to seniors, she feels our seniors deserve some pampering and she is always willing to help, driving many miles in her own personal vehicle.

As well as volunteering at Festival of Trees and Salvation Army Kettle program 3 times a week, Wendy has also volunteered for the Grande Prairie Storm, Safe Communities and any organization that may need help at Casinos of Fundraisers.

“Wendy has a huge heart and she shares it with everyone without concern, to lighten the day of so many”.

Congratulations Wendy, you make a difference and we are so proud to have you as our 2020 Volunteer of the Year.

Award sponsored & presented by Servus Credit Union - Servus Credit Union represented by Jaimie Rigler.

CORPORATE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Grassroots Realty Group

(Award accepted by Yuri Smith and Morgan MacLean)

Community engagement for the Grassroots Realty Group is built on a company-wide policy that fosters volunteering and encourages their staff to be actively engaged in promoting volunteerism, philanthropy and giving back.

A young business in Grande Prairie, this branch started in 2017, Grassroots Realty staff are actively involved in community events entrenching their belief that the donation of employee’s skills and talents can be more valuable than a cash donation. They have organized and or participated in Art Shows, BBQ' and fashion shows with all proceeds going to our local community organizations.

This year Grassroots has stepped up to help local organizations who are struggling as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. Countless hours of volunteering including fundraising has made a significant difference to help organizations stay afloat.

Also part of their corporate business plan is the establishment of the Roots Foundation. A portion of each of their business transactions are donated to the Foundation and these funds are then used to assist the organizations in the community where each branch is located.

An annual event for this group is their 12 Days of Christmas. During this time 12 different agencies will benefit from the work and vision of this outstanding Corporate Citizen.

What makes this so inspirational is that Grass Roots has a younger demographic and that even as a new business, giving back was in the business plan.

Thank you Grassroots Realty Group and congratulations.

Award sponsored by the Prairie Mall