Award status:
- 2019 awards application are now under review.
Overview
The Minister’s Seniors Service Awards (MSSA) recognize exceptional volunteers and outstanding organizations.
Across the province, dedicated Albertans volunteer their time to brighten the lives of seniors and build their communities while countless organizations work tirelessly to provide much-needed supports and services.
Eligibility
Individual category - an individual or couple can be nominated if they:
- are a resident of Alberta of any age
- provide volunteer services to seniors in Alberta
Organization category - an Alberta organization can be nominated if they:
- are not-for-profit
- rely on volunteers to support seniors
Alice Modin Award category - an individual or couple can be nominated if they:
- are 65 years of age or older and have been volunteering in their community for 20 or more years
- actively promote volunteerism amongst seniors
- had a provincial impact on seniors through their volunteer efforts
- are a resident of Alberta
How to nominate
The call for nominations for the 2019 awards is now closed.
Questions
Email your questions to seniorsinformation@gov.ab.ca
After you apply
The nomination review committee evaluates the submissions and recommends award recipients to the Minister of Seniors and Housing. The minister selects the award recipients.
Award recipients are notified in the summer and honoured at an awards ceremony in the fall.
Award recipients
View photos of award recipients and the award ceremony.
2018 Alice Modin Award
The Alice Modin Award recognizes an individual Albertan or couple who is 65 years of age or older and has been volunteer in their community for 20 or more years. Their work can actively promote volunteerism among seniors and/or have a provincial impact.
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Gregory Steiner - Calgary
Greg has spent 40 years as a community volunteer for many organizations and committees in Calgary. In just a few months, he fundraised $150,000 to contribute to building the Genesis Centre, a recreation building for the Northeast Calgary community. Greg advocates on behalf of seniors issues, helps organize and work events, and has contributed to building parks.
2018 Individual awards
This category recognizes an individual or couple of any age who provide volunteer services to seniors. These volunteer efforts have a great impact, from serving seniors to building communities and support services that improve the lives of many seniors in Alberta.
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Bill Chrapko – Edmonton
Bill Chrapko has been an instrumental part of Edmonton Meals on Wheels for more than 27 years. In March 1990, he was elected to the Edmonton Meals on Wheels Board of Directors, bringing his expertise as a health inspector to the agency. He currently volunteers at Edmonton Meals on Wheels organizational events and provides expertise to the board. His past experience includes training staff and volunteers on food safety and proper handwashing as well as delivering meals to housebound seniors anywhere throughout the city. He is passionate about improving the quality of life for seniors and is a Meals on Wheels champion as well as a senior’s advocate.
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Bill Wulff – Drumheller
Bill Wulff has served his community for more than 30 years and is willing to lend a hand and support to seniors in any way he is able. Bill utilized his skills in the film industry to spearhead an initiative to broadcast council meetings on the local community channel so seniors could watch council proceedings from home. Bill also serves the seniors in his community through his involvement with fundraising events and BBQs, preparing tax returns, completing financial audits for seniors’ centres and lodges, and through senior visits.
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Della Robertson – Cochrane
Della Robertson has led many key initiatives supporting seniors and the community of Cochrane as chair of the Cochrane Seniors Advisory Committee. Della has advocated for issues important to seniors such as transportation, universal health plan, and elder abuse awareness. Her dedication to service led to the creation of a non-profit society to manage the development of a hospice for Cochrane. She has liaised with community leaders in building a focused and collaborative group with one common goal – improving services for seniors.
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Dolores Dercach – Sundre
Dolores Dercach provides volunteer service to the Sundre and District Historical Society and is active in their events from the planning stages to the execution and clean-up. She is also a longstanding advocate and active board member for the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society, whose mandate is to provide connected, thriving and engaged support to the seniors within the community. Dolores also promotes active living by teaching older adults to be more active through a new walking program.
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Jim Swift – Calgary
Jim Swift has been a volunteer with the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society’s Escorted Transportation program since 1990. For the past 28 years, Jim has been driving isolated seniors with low income to medical appointments, for groceries, and to the bank. Jim continues to go above and beyond with the seniors he serves, and many of his clients have expressed that he has helped them both emotionally and physically.
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Waqar Manzoor – Chestermere
Waqar Manzoor has more than 18 years of volunteer experience in his community. He has organized numerous workshops, seminars and forums on the issues of seniors’ financial abuse, seniors’ benefits, pension information and many other topics of interest to seniors. He has worked with multiple organizations and many seniors to build leadership, encourage civic participation, and raise awareness on several issues affecting seniors. Waqar has also organized events to help reduce social isolation for seniors.
2018 Organization awards
This category recognizes Alberta organizations that are not-for-profit and rely on volunteers to support seniors. Organizations are recognized for the positive impact their volunteer services have in supporting seniors, locally or provincially, to help them participate in their communities and stay healthy and engaged.
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Fairview and Area Seniors Check-In Line SocietyThe Fairview and Area Seniors Check-In Line Society is a group of seniors working “with and for” seniors in northern rural Alberta communities. Serving an area that encompasses three municipalities, the society was established in response to seniors requesting supports that would contribute to their safety and community connection while allowing them to stay in their homes. The society offers four programs: the daily Seniors Check-In Line, quarterly Educational Wellness Events, a monthly Seniors Community Kitchen, and advocacy.
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The Lending Cupboard Society of AlbertaThe Lending Cupboard plays a major role in supporting seniors and people with disabilities by providing walking aids, bathroom and bedroom safety equipment and wheel chairs, so that people can live independently at home. The Lending Cupboard does not only provide a service; they also provide rewarding opportunities for volunteers to give back to their community through the many volunteer positions available. The Lending Cupboard plays a major role in maintaining independence and dignity for people in Central Alberta.
Past recipients
2017 recipients
Alice Modin Award
- Karen Nordgaard – Bragg Creek
Individuals and organizations
- Jeanette Engblom – Winfield
- John and Mabel Baxter – Whitecourt
- Lena McKenzie – Calgary
- Sewa Singh Premi – Calgary
- Wendy Lickacz – Edmonton
- Drayton Valley Health Care Auxiliary
- Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens Association
2016 recipients
Individuals and organizations
- Alaire Oberg – Galahad
- Bernie Andersen – Falun
- Mary Coleman – Boyle
- Niab Singh Sandhu – Calgary
- Alden Bradley – Jasper
- South East Edmonton Seniors Association
- Fort Saskatchewan Special Transportation Society
- Vegreville Senior Citizens Sunshine Club
Contact
To connect with Alberta Seniors and Housing Community Initiatives, email: seniorsinformation@gov.ab.ca