Stars of Alberta Recipients - 2011
Click this link to see more photos from the 2011 awards presentation ceremony
View recipient videos
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YOUTH CATEGORY
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Jamil Jivraj, EdmontonJamil Jivraj is a youth leader in the Edmonton community and a role model for his peers. He has a keen sense of duty
and fulfills his responsibilities with tact and integrity. He has actively contributed towards conceptualizing, planning
and executing a wide range of community and outreach events in our province and beyond in his numerous roles as educator,
counselor, volunteer and leader. Major community projects undertaken by Jamil include the Ismaili Youth Group at the
University of Alberta, and the Ismaili Religious Education Board for Edmonton. He is also a group leader at the Elves
Special Needs Society's Summer Program and for the past two summers served as a Camp Reflections Counselor. Jamil played
an instrumental role in initiating, planning and executing an HIV awareness project in Uganda. Jamil is a founder of
"Learning Beyond Borders", a student group that develops meaningful partnerships between students in Canada, Uganda
and Syria. |
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Stephen McPhee, AirdrieStephen McPhee is a 10 year old boy with a humbled spirit and an incredible passion to make sure all children in need
have a bed to sleep in; a home with grass to run on and lots of toys. He is a real motivator to his community and
everyone across Alberta who hears his story. Stephen's passion unfolded into the wonderful outreach and national charity
called Stephen's Backpacks. They have over 250 volunteers and over 300 corporate sponsors to support the program. Stephen
became a strong voice for little ones without a home. He is a quiet leader with a huge heart. Many recipients have been
blessed including Edmonton's Hope Mission, Hugs to Haiti, Airdrie Food Bank, Lioness Hampers, Inn from the Cold, Women's
shelters and many more. The Footprints program of Stephen’s Backpacks was formed providing new running shoes for children
in need. Stephen is a leader in every sense due to his determination to get the job done, ask for help and believe it
will happen - Dream Out Loud, his very words. |
ADULT CATEGORY
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Daryl Bonar, EdmontonDaryl Boanr, or "LT" as he is lovingly referred to by the youth, has been the cornerstone of the Da Bom Squad
program for the past four years, acting as the de facto leader of the group. Da Bom Squad is a paramilitary
structured, athletic based program for high-risk Edmonton youth between the ages 13 and 17. The program is a
partnership between the Edmonton Police Service, The Family Centre and the Alberta Capital Region. Daryl has
demonstrated exemplary leadership in building this program specifically targeting a population that is hard to
reach - high risk youth. Spearheading key strategies around effective youth recruitment, fundraising and retaining
multidiscipline partners, Daryl quickly became the glue that held the passionate people together in order to make a
difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. Many other local organizations benefit from Daryl's volunteer
contributions: Diaper Drive for Terra Institute, Youth Emergency Shelter, Graffiti Wipe Outs, Edmonton Food Bank,
M.S. Society and Seniors Shoveling Program. |
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Lynda Jonson, HintonLynda Jonson has touched the lives of many citizens in Hinton and area to the point where her name is synonymous with
volunteering. Lynda has spent countless hours just getting the job done whatever it might be. She has inspired people to
share her vision of a more caring and inclusive community, enabling individuals to act while encouraging the hearts and
minds of others to join her in her efforts. Lynda's advocacy work on behalf of the residents in Alberta's continuing care
facilities takes up a significant number of volunteer hours each year. Lynda also volunteers her time for Public Interest
Alberta where she is a participating member of the Senior’s Task Force. She is a chairperson of Seniors I Care nonprofit
group that she created when realizing the need for residents in long term care facilities to have an advocate for their
varied needs. Lynda volunteers and is a member of Friends of Medicare and was instrumental in creating a Citizen Watch
website and providing information found there. The Residents Care Foundation that enhances the quality of life for the
residents in Hinton's three care facilities, is another one of Lynda’s volunteer endeavors. |
SENIOR CATEGORY
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Gareth Jones, St. AlbertGareth Jones is a remarkable man who works tirelessly to improve community life in St. Albert. His service has
crossed all sectors in this community, from serving the very young to seniors, from sports and recreation, to arts
and culture, human services to fundraising. Currently, Mr. Jones is a sitting board member of the St. Albert Senior
Citizen's Club and is a Director of the Protocol and Ambassadors program for the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter
games. Also in his volunteer portfolio is board member of the Alberta Sports Recreation Parks and Wildlife Foundation,
protocol director for the 2009 Special Olympics Provincial Summer games, founding board member of the St. Albert
Housing Society, Vice-Chairperson of the Lieutenant Governor's Distinguished Arts Awards Gala, event chair of the
"Six Mayors Toast", volunteer ambassador and member of the Torch Relay Team for the St. Albert 2011 Alberta 55 Plus
Winter Games. Mr. Jones has founded many programs over the years, including St. Albert Victim Services, the St. Albert
Bingo Association, the St. Albert Rugby Football Club and the National Centre of Excellence Program in Rugby. |
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Clem Kuelker, DidsburyClem Kuelker has been a pillar of the community of Didsbury as well as the surrounding area for many years. His
unending devotion to volunteerism has helped and changed lives of many in the community over the years. He is a founding
member of the Didsbury and District Historical Society and has remained a member for the past 34 years. The Museum is now
a Provincial Historical Resource as well as a recognized Museum of Alberta. As Director and Chairman of the Rosebud Health
Foundation he works tirelessly to raise money for extra ordinary hospital equipment to benefit all people in need. Under
Clem's coordination the Rosebud Community Growing Project raises money from the sale of harvested crops to send to the
Canadian Foodgrains Bank to be used to feed the hungry of the world. Over the years, Clem has also served as a President
and Member of the Didsbury Kinsmen Club, Member of the Olds College Board of Governors and President of the Didsbury
Chamber of Commerce. |
