Stars of Alberta Recipients - 2001

IYV LIFETIME VOLUNTEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD (THIS YEAR ONLY) 

Mr. Dale Currie    

Mr. Dale Currie - Hinton

Nominated by the Town of Hinton Family and Community Support Services. 
Dale has been employed by Cardinal River Coals Ltd. for the last 11 years as a Plant Operator and still contributes hundreds of volunteer hours annually. Dale has spearheaded the development of sports teams such as the Wheelers Women's Hockey and the Chinook League hockey for young girls. He single-handedly raised $100,000 towards replacement of their seniors' transportation. He developed a volunteer recognition Wall of Fame and has generously devoted his time to organizing the annual Winter Magic Festival. Dale's current volunteer activity consists of recognizing Hinton's athletes, teams, volunteers and community builders. 

YOUTH CATEGORY

Mr. Hussein Kanji    

Mr. Hussein Kanji - Calgary 

Nominated by the Ismaili Council for the Prairies. Hussein has easily contributed over a thousand hours as a volunteer this past year. Hussein lives every moment of his life with the hope and ambition to help someone else, be it a young recent refugee from Afghanistan or helping someone learn the nuances of English, assisting a developmentally delayed or brain injured young person at the University of Calgary Campus Recreation Program or performing magic to captivate audiences or be it raising funds for the developing world or helping put together a story with his exceptional writing skills about Social Service Delivery Model for the Ismaili Canada magazine. 

 

Ms. Linda Hajjar    

Ms. Linda Hajjar - Edmonton 

Nominated by the Gateway Association for Community Living Youth Group. 
Linda is a youth facilitator of the Gateway Association for Community Living's Youth Group that organizes and runs the group meetings. In attendance are youth with and without disabilities. Linda has also been a camp leader and has taken on the additional task of being a co-presenter for teaching the group skill building activities. Linda has been instrumental in planning and presenting at the National Conference. Linda has been an active volunteer for many years and has contributed to her community in countless ways.

ADULT CATEGORY

Mr. Ajaz Quraishi    

Mr. Ajaz Quraishi - Cold Lake

Nominated by the Lakeland United Way. 
Ajaz is the Treasurer of the Lakeland United Way and Chair of the Planning and Allocations Committee and Coordinator of the Imperial Oil United Way Campaign. Ajaz has an uncanny ability "to get money out of anything that moves." As the Chairman of the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists Cold Lake Chapter, Ajaz donates his time to nurturing the pursuit of excellence. He is the Treasurer and Trustee of the Cold Lake Library Board and is serving his second term as a volunteer Director for the Chamber of Commerce. Ajaz realizes that it is through these extra activities that a city truly comes together to form a caring community.

 

Ms. Janet Musani    

Ms. Janet Musani - Edmonton 

Nominated by Celebrate Canada Day and Girl Guides of Canada. 
Jan has been a member of Girl Guides of Canada for 22 years. She has been a leader with all branches of Guiding, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Senior Branches. Jan was the District Commissioner for the Ismaili Muslim District of Guiding until she accepted the challenge of Papaschase Division Commissioner that is responsible for ensuring that the needs of Guiding members are being met and addressed. Jan has also been involved with Canada Day celebrations for 13 years as co-chairperson. She is a unique individual who has also volunteered a lot of her time and energy in promoting Canadian identity and pride by bringing Canadians together in celebration of their nation. 

SENIOR CATEGORY

Mr. Doug Heine    

Mr. Doug Heine - Medicine Hat

Nominated by the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. 
Doug's main goal when tackling a volunteer project is to develop the community, protect and share his values and beliefs and help someone in need. Doug is a community developer. He is Chairman of the Senior Citizens advisory Committee, Chairman of the Senior Citizens Foundation, Coordinator of the Wise Owl Program, a volunteer in the Information Office, a volunteer Income Tax Facilitator, volunteer Computer Club Board Member and Computer Instructor. Doug is also involved with St. Barnabas Church, Kiwanis Service Club, St. John Ambulance and Southern Alberta Light Horse to name a few. 

 

Mr. Frank Gee    

Mr. Frank Gee - Edmonton 

Nominated by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Edmonton. 
Since the 1950's, Frank has been involved with many organizations and activities in community services, including founding the Gee's Society. He's volunteered with the Edmonton Chinatown Development Foundation and the 97 Street and Area Business Association, fundraising for the Chinatown Gate in 1987 and for his local senior lodge, chairing the Chinese Benevolent Association, chairing the Tri Community Project involving the new Edmonton Chinese Library Project, and volunteered for the Continuing Care Project and the Community Service Centre project. Besides serving his local community, Frank is also very enthusiastic in overseas developmental projects, raising funds to build a school in China, and assisting with the China floods and the Taiwan earthquake.


Last reviewed/revised: August 29, 2011