Minister’s Seniors Service Awards

Benita Galandy – Grande Prairie

Benita is a generous volunteer who has dedicated much of her time, knowledge, and resources to improving the lives of seniors in her community. Her work involves supporting a shelter for at-risk seniors. As a dedicated volunteer at the shelter, Benita strives to ensure seniors have a safe place to call home. She prepares meals, cleans and maintains the facility, and provided additional help, such as transportation to medical appointments and delivering essentials. Benita also developed a framework to address social isolation and ensure seniors in her community have access to the supports they need. Since the pandemic, Benita has contributed over 8,000 volunteer hours to the shelter.

Cory Young – Peace River

Cory is a home support worker who goes above and beyond for the seniors in her care. This includes getting to know each and every senior and working to meet their individual needs with compassion. Cory's thoughtfulness can be seen through acts like washing windows, mowing lawns, or giving rides to medical appointments. She also takes time to prepare, cook, and deliver meals to seniors. During the pandemic, Cory created a home delivery service so seniors could safely access healthy meals. Cory knows the importance of connection and stays in contact with many seniors, even after they have moved away.

Haidong Liang – Edmonton

Dr. Liang provides outstanding service to help seniors through his work as Executive Director of the Westend Seniors Activity Centre. When the centre had to close its doors due to the pandemic, Dr. Liang immediately began creating a virtual fitness program for seniors. He also supported the creation of over 2,000 fitness handbooks for seniors who could not access a virtual program. Dr. Liang shared his program across Alberta, so more seniors could benefit from this service. Over the last three years, Dr. Liang has quickly earned a reputation for being innovative, creating partnerships, and sharing resources with other nonprofit organizations to help serve more seniors. He created a partnership called YEG Seniors Alliance, which jointly offers online programs and classes to more than 3,500 seniors.

Aspen Care Ltd. – Calgary

Aspen Care Limited has been a cornerstone for seniors struggling with their health throughout the COVID 19 pandemic. As a home care provider, the company provides customized palliative care to seniors suffering from chronic illnesses or illnesses due to aging. Throughout the pandemic, owner Shelley McLellan and her staff implemented highly successful measures to reduce the risk of exposure. After witnessing the impacts of COVID-19 on seniors' homes in Canada, Shelley pivoted the company to help in any way it could. This led to the creation of My Health Journals – books dedicated to helping vulnerable Albertans track their health, both physical and mental. My Health Journals have since been donated to many organizations, nursing homes, and long-term care homes in Alberta, helping thousands of seniors.

Jewish Family Service Calgary – Calgary

Jewish Family Service Calgary provides innovative, impactful programs and services for individuals and families in all stages of life. It provides help with basic needs, older adult supports, memory care, seniors’ mental health and addictions, and reducing isolation through creative programming. This organization is a leader in its field through its commitment to partnerships and collaboration with other organizations. It is now part of a growing network sharing expertise, resources, and referrals to provide specialized supports to seniors.

Photo: Lisa Thomson and Roxanne Droppo

Linking Generations Society of Alberta – Sherwood Park

Linking Generations brings seniors and youth together to share knowledge and life experiences with each other. In the wake of COVID-19, Linking Generations redesigned its intergenerational programs to become virtual, as it became more evident seniors were isolated and lonely. Understanding the importance of keeping seniors connected to youth, this organization is committed to helping seniors better cope through the pandemic and day-to-day life in general.

Photo: Debbie Sinclair

Volunteer Strathcona – Sherwood Park

In response to the pandemic, Volunteer Strathcona developed and launched its COVID-19 Emergency Community Program. Through this program, Volunteer Strathcona has been able to co-ordinate volunteers to provide essential services to isolated seniors in the community. At first, the program offered grocery delivery, prescription delivery, and compassionate calls, then Volunteer Strathcona adapted and added additional services as needed. Volunteer Strathcona focuses on developing genuine relationships with residents and volunteers. They make it their priority to match the seniors with the volunteers who will help them best.

Photo: Judy Ferguson

Dirk Bannister – Airdrie

Dirk has been a strong community builder, dedicating much of his lifetime to volunteer work. Over the last 57 years, he has worked with a variety of organizations, such as women’s shelters, Kamp Kiwanis, and the Calgary Drop in Centre. Dirk has helped build playgrounds, and provided books and Christmas presents for those in need. Much of this time has been spent in leadership roles, mentoring others, and helping start Kiwanis clubs in Camrose, Airdrie, and Cochrane. His knowledge of governance and policy has helped numerous organizations in their own community work. In addition to his volunteer work, Dirk somehow found the time to write, edit, and publish the Western Canada News.

Meagan Chapman – Parkland County

Meagan is the Acting Recreation Manager at St. Michael's Long-Term Care Centre, where she consistently demonstrates an outstanding commitment to residents and families. Her innovative work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic improved residents’ connections with their families by providing numerous opportunities for safe, one-on-one interactions. This meant creating an outdoor space for physically-distanced visits, and co-ordinating video and telephone calls twice a week for every single resident. Meagan also introduced intergenerational activities, including a partnership with a local school, to co-ordinate window visits, entertainment, and a pen pal program. These services brought much joy and needed connection during a difficult time.