Stars of Alberta Recipients - 2008
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Stars of Alberta Recipients, 2008 |
YOUTH CATEGORY
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Aravind Ganesh, Red DeerAravind was born in Kerala, India and experienced diversity at a very young age as he was raised in a Hindu family while living in a Muslim community and studying at a Catholic school. As a result of Aravind's experiences he has become open-minded and tolerant striving to nourish his spirit of acceptance by involving himself in volunteer activities within his community. Recently moving to Canada only four years ago, Aravind has made a positive impact in his community as a result of his outstanding dedication to volunteer services. Inspired by the staff at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, especially Principal Mr. Greg Hall, and Counsellor Mr. Dan Flanagan, Aravind became involved with the schools Student Council and founded the International Club Students for International Friendship and Understanding (SIFU), which fosters greater interaction among local and exchange students and promotes appreciation of cultural diversity. Aravind began volunteering at the Red Deer Regional Hospital in 2005 and has continued thanks to the continuous encouragement from his Volunteer Coordinator, Ms. Darci Shaves. This work not only put Aravind in direct contact with his community, but fostered his interest in opportunities in the healthcare field. During the same year, Aravind became one of the founding members of Youth Voice, a youth advocacy group working with the City of Red Deer, driven by Ms. Linda Healing, a passionate Community Facilitator. Youth Voice has put forth efforts to develop and promote an action plan to combat the rise in bullying in the community. Aravind currently attends the University of Calgary and has had further opportunities to expand his activism work through his involvement as a chapter coordinator for the Millennium Foundation. Aravind is also the founder and director of Citizens for Change (C4C), a group that seeks to support student activists and their projects. On campus, Aravind continues his volunteer work through the Campus Food Bank and U of C Ambassadors. "My parents continue to be major driving forces in my life, inspiring me to reciprocate the generosity that Canada has shown to us". Nominated by Darci Shave of Volunteer Resources, Red Deer Regional Hospital |
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Youssef Zouhri, EdmontonYoussef currently attends the University of Alberta studying sciences and maintains his standing on the Dean's list for academic excellence. Youssef spends a great deal of time involved with groups focused on community service. Youssef has been named Undergrad of the Year by the University of Alberta Senate and has also been recognized by the ALS Society of Alberta. Last October Youssef co-founded Action ALS, a student run nonprofit group dedicated to finding a cure and raising awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease. Youssef works closely with the ALS Society of Alberta, frequently doing public awareness campaigns and fundraisers. In addition to Action ALS, Youssef is the Vice President for Campus Unicef, a director on the board of the Student Umbrella for Social Justice (SUSJ), a director on the board for Make Poverty History (MPH- where he helped organize the Stand Up Speak Out event), a long time youth mentor for YRAP (youth restorative action project) which deals with youth who have gotten into trouble with the law, and formerly a mentor at iHuman (a safe house for youth dealing with crime and addiction). Youssef's previous volunteer involvement includes; working at the University Hospital training volunteers, the ALS Clinic, and in high school as the President and Co-founder of Team Help (their goal was to raise money to help underprivileged afford grad). "I enjoy what I do and I think that this is why we have been able to recruit so many other volunteers. There is a real social aspect that cannot be denied and I believe that this is a strong influencing force on encouraging others to join our cause. I look forward to a long and enjoyable future where I can continue doing what I do". Nominated by Sameer Rajwani of Action ALS |
ADULT CATEGORY
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Dale Richards, CalgaryDale's volunteer activities began when he became involved in a program developed at the University of Calgary. The program allows graduating engineers to be better prepared to enter the workforce. This program evolved into providing strategic planning guidance, international job placements and industry focus group feedback. Volunteering allowed Dale to give back to his engineering profession. Dale's vision impairment created another area of interest and involvement with the CNIB and individuals with vision loss. Again he was able to utilize lessons learned from his professional life to assist a "nonprofit" organization". The rewards of these activities have been extremely satisfying and close the loop for those of us at the sunset of our professional careers". Dale firmly believes application of ones work experience illustrates a link between daily endeavours and the application to assisting our fellow man. Nominated by Cathy McFee of CNIB |
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Gordon Hoffman, B.A., M.Ed., LLB. Q.C., CalgaryGordon Hoffman has been recognized by the Calgary community and the legal profession for his service to numerous social, cultural, and charitable organizations. He has received many awards, including, the Distinguished Service Award from the Law Society of Alberta, the Alumni Honor Award from the University of Alberta and the Volunteer Calgary, Heart of Calgary Award. Besides managing a busy law practice, authoring five books, and meriting a second degree black belt in martial arts, he has been a chairman, director, and often the founder of approximately 100 charitable and community organizations. In 1996, Gordon started Project Warmth Society of Alberta, a nonprofit organization which is funded entirely by private funds. This organization provides outwear and blankets to those in need, or the funds required to purchase these necessities. Last year, over 50,000 items were distributed across Alberta. Throughout the year, there are many calls from teachers requesting coats, gloves, scarves and footwear for their students. Gordon's involvement in the community ranges from sitting on the boards of Theatre Calgary, Enviros, Legal Archives, the Backdoor, and Alberta Champions Society in recognition of Community Enrichment, Child Find and many more organizations. For the last seven years, in cooperation with Theatre Calgary's production of A Christmas Carol, Gordon has chaired a fundraiser which invites, without charge, close to a hundred underprivileged students to view the production and partake in the gourmet treats offered. This event has always been close to his heart because of the joy it brings to the students and the community at large. He maintains that helping others is a privilege and an honor which humbles and elevates our own lives. Nominated by Jonathan Fesik of the Project Warmth Society of Alberta |
SENIOR CATEGORY
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Peter Kossowan, EdmontonBorn in Alberta, Peter has made his home in Edmonton for the past five decades and has never looked back. Peter's first volunteer involvement was with the Red Feather (now the United Way) in 1953 and from then the numbers mount. Most of his involvement has been in the field of education, health, athletics and the environment. The latest tally of agencies he has been involved with totals eighty eight. He is passionate about the many nonprofit agencies he has been involved with and, "doing what they have to do... to make this a better place to live". Peter lives by the words of George Bernard Shaw when he said "My life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can to make it a better world than I found it". Peter has received numerous awards and recognition from various agencies he has served. Toastmasters International has been his focus for almost forty years and this group has given him the tools to take on many leadership roles with many of these agencies he has been involved with over the past several years. He is a proud Albertan and Edmontonian, prepared to do more. Nominated by Bernice Gildner of the Alberta Caregivers Association |
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RoseMarie Foley, CalgaryRoseMarie Foley was born in Trinidad, West Indies, and the eldest of a family of six. It was not uncommon for RoseMarie and her sister to cook meals in their family restaurant and distribute them to the less fortunate people of her community. In 1966 RoesMarie came to Canada and resided in Montreal where she began her extensive volunteer involvement as a Girl Guide leader, for over 10 years. RoseMarie currently resides in Calgary and has unselfishly volunteered thousands of hours for the betterment of the City of Calgary and its citizens. Some of her accomplishments include over 20 years of service to the Calgary Police Service which translates to nearly 10,000 hours of volunteer service. During that time RoseMarie also assisted and held board positions with the World Police/Fire Games, Alberta Children's Hospital, Community Activist and chairperson for the Oakridge Community Association, Calgary Interfaith Food Bank, International Children's Festival, Weaslehead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society, Louis Riel School, youth Justice Committee, 1988 Winter Olympics, Terry fox Run, Cancer Society, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. RoseMarie also spent 18 years with the Calgary Block Watch, eventually holding the position of city-wide president for 2 years. Today, RoseMarie continues to provide invaluable service to the Calgary Police Service. She enjoys walking, dancing, and is an exceptional event organizer. Nominated by Constable James Forde of the Calgary Police Service |
