2013 Heart of Wood Buffalo Awards
Fort McMurray, Alberta - May 23, 2013 Organizers of the 2013 Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards are very pleased
to announce the 2013 Award Winners for the Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards.
The Awards were held on May 23rd at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity High School , hosted by emcees Amanda Propp and Sean Conroy and featured keynote speaker Dave Meslin.
to announce the 2013 Award Winners for the Heart of Wood Buffalo Leadership Awards.
The Awards were held on May 23rd at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts at Holy Trinity High School , hosted by emcees Amanda Propp and Sean Conroy and featured keynote speaker Dave Meslin.
And the Winners Are.....
Social Prosperity Leadership Award
Winner:
Andryia Browne
Andryia Browne selected the Fort McMurray SPCA to receive her $5,000 prize. As owner of Fort McMurray Connect and Vizability Consulting Inc., Andryia plays an integral role in recognizing and sharing news of nonprofit organizations in Wood Buffalo. She is especially devoted to the Fort McMurray SPCA and has been a member of the Board for two years. Through her involvement with the SPCA, she has successfully created ‘petspeak’ adoption advertisements that have increased adoption rates, designed program cards to outline the programs and services offered by SPCA and created the gala fundraiser, Dancing the Stars Wood Buffalo. Her efforts have had a significant impact bringing positive change while inspiring others.
Andryia Browne selected the Fort McMurray SPCA to receive her $5,000 prize. As owner of Fort McMurray Connect and Vizability Consulting Inc., Andryia plays an integral role in recognizing and sharing news of nonprofit organizations in Wood Buffalo. She is especially devoted to the Fort McMurray SPCA and has been a member of the Board for two years. Through her involvement with the SPCA, she has successfully created ‘petspeak’ adoption advertisements that have increased adoption rates, designed program cards to outline the programs and services offered by SPCA and created the gala fundraiser, Dancing the Stars Wood Buffalo. Her efforts have had a significant impact bringing positive change while inspiring others.
Community Impact Award
Winner:
Fort McMurray Inner-City Homeless Health Promotion Project
Two organizations were selected to split the $5,000 prize; the Centre of Hope and the Salvation Army. The Fort McMurray Inner-City Homeless Health Promotion Project builds exemplary partnerships and collectively makes positive impacts on access to appropriate healthcare and necessary support for vulnerable members of our community. The project contributes to what we are obligated as humans and a community
– to care for each other, especially the most vulnerable ones. That is a vital component of a healthy community.
Two organizations were selected to split the $5,000 prize; the Centre of Hope and the Salvation Army. The Fort McMurray Inner-City Homeless Health Promotion Project builds exemplary partnerships and collectively makes positive impacts on access to appropriate healthcare and necessary support for vulnerable members of our community. The project contributes to what we are obligated as humans and a community
– to care for each other, especially the most vulnerable ones. That is a vital component of a healthy community.
Executive Leadership Award
Winner:
Roseanne Davidson
Roseanne donated her $5,000 prize to the Fort McMurray Historical Society, Heritage Park Summer Camps Program. As the Executive Director of the Fort McMurray Historical Society, Roseann has witnessed the amazing growth of both Heritage Park and the Marine Park Museum. In her role she has had the opportunity to build dreams fueled by dedication, hard work and passion from staff, volunteers and the Fort McMurray Historical Society Board of Directors. Roseann is excited by the enthusiastic laughter and learning at school programs and summer camps. She has also had the opportunity to work with incredible community partners that invaluably support Fort McMurray Historical Society projects and programs. It is the diversity of this community that makes her position unique and rewarding.
Roseanne donated her $5,000 prize to the Fort McMurray Historical Society, Heritage Park Summer Camps Program. As the Executive Director of the Fort McMurray Historical Society, Roseann has witnessed the amazing growth of both Heritage Park and the Marine Park Museum. In her role she has had the opportunity to build dreams fueled by dedication, hard work and passion from staff, volunteers and the Fort McMurray Historical Society Board of Directors. Roseann is excited by the enthusiastic laughter and learning at school programs and summer camps. She has also had the opportunity to work with incredible community partners that invaluably support Fort McMurray Historical Society projects and programs. It is the diversity of this community that makes her position unique and rewarding.
Board Leadership Award
Winner:
Hope Moffatt
Hope Moffatt chose Children 1st Community Childcare Network Society to receive the $5,000 prize. Hope has
been an early childhood and adult educator for most of her life and is one of the founding members of Children First. The Children First: Community Day Home Agency and the Children First: Eagle Ridge Nest child care centre were built by community partners in response to the community’s need for increased child care services. Hope is grateful for the dedication of the Children First staff and Board of Directors. Children First’s mission is
to “Put circles of support around children and families.” When they do that, they will be living their vision: “Children first, community success.”
Hope Moffatt chose Children 1st Community Childcare Network Society to receive the $5,000 prize. Hope has
been an early childhood and adult educator for most of her life and is one of the founding members of Children First. The Children First: Community Day Home Agency and the Children First: Eagle Ridge Nest child care centre were built by community partners in response to the community’s need for increased child care services. Hope is grateful for the dedication of the Children First staff and Board of Directors. Children First’s mission is
to “Put circles of support around children and families.” When they do that, they will be living their vision: “Children first, community success.”
Newcomer Engagement Award in Memory of Lyle Leboldus
Winner:
D'Andre Wilson
D'Andre chose Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and the Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation to split the $5,000 prize. D'Andre Wilson came to Fort McMurray in September 2011 on a temporary work placement and in April 2012 decided to make Fort McMurray her permanent home. Educated in chemical engineering, she always had a passion for promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to youth and decided to form the BrainSTEM Alliance, working with social profits and educational institutions in the area to do engineering outreach activities. So far she has worked with the Fort McMurray Public Library, Holy Trinity High School and Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. She recently started her own handbag business called Ziri Bags
& Accessories to raise funds for scholarships toward young women pursuing STEM fields.
D'Andre chose Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and the Wood Buffalo Youth Science Foundation to split the $5,000 prize. D'Andre Wilson came to Fort McMurray in September 2011 on a temporary work placement and in April 2012 decided to make Fort McMurray her permanent home. Educated in chemical engineering, she always had a passion for promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to youth and decided to form the BrainSTEM Alliance, working with social profits and educational institutions in the area to do engineering outreach activities. So far she has worked with the Fort McMurray Public Library, Holy Trinity High School and Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta. She recently started her own handbag business called Ziri Bags
& Accessories to raise funds for scholarships toward young women pursuing STEM fields.
Volunteer Recognition Award in Honour of Bill Blomfield
Winner:
Nicole Park
Nicole Park chose Fort McMurray Autism Support Group, Camp Kids First to receive the $5,000 prize.Nicole has proudly called Fort McMurray her home for 13 years. In 2008, Nicole started the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group for parents to meet monthly and support each other in raising a child or children with autism. This group is what Nicole is most proud of because like Margaret Montoya did for her when she received her son’s diagnosis she has been able to help other families with the journey of an autism diagnosis. Among
her many accomplishments, in 2011 she founded Camp “Kids First”, the only outdoor recreation summer day camp in Fort McMurray to provide social and recreational opportunities for children with different needs. Currently Nicole volunteers with the Healing Hooves Therapeutic Horse Back Riding Project at Clearwater Horse Club and is the administration volunteer for the Fort McMurray Special Olympics. She was also integral in getting a special needs class added to
the regular registration at the Norfort Gymnastics Club.
Nicole Park chose Fort McMurray Autism Support Group, Camp Kids First to receive the $5,000 prize.Nicole has proudly called Fort McMurray her home for 13 years. In 2008, Nicole started the Fort McMurray Autism Support Group for parents to meet monthly and support each other in raising a child or children with autism. This group is what Nicole is most proud of because like Margaret Montoya did for her when she received her son’s diagnosis she has been able to help other families with the journey of an autism diagnosis. Among
her many accomplishments, in 2011 she founded Camp “Kids First”, the only outdoor recreation summer day camp in Fort McMurray to provide social and recreational opportunities for children with different needs. Currently Nicole volunteers with the Healing Hooves Therapeutic Horse Back Riding Project at Clearwater Horse Club and is the administration volunteer for the Fort McMurray Special Olympics. She was also integral in getting a special needs class added to
the regular registration at the Norfort Gymnastics Club.
