Ralph Vincent of Ste. Anne as well as four other Manitobans and two intergenerational programs were presented with Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Awards. The awards were presented today by Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau, in acknowledgement of their extraordinary dedication and commitment to their communities.
“These individuals and groups have given their time, skills, creativity and experience to help build stronger, safer and healthier communities for seniors and for all Manitobans,” said Rondeau. “It is an honour to recognize them for their generous, selfless contributions.”
“The awards were created to showcase the contributions of older Manitobans, but they have evolved to be more than that,” said Jean-Yves Rochon, chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging. “They are now truly age-friendly awards, as they recognize people of all ages who are positively contributing to the lives of older adults.”
The 2011 individual award recipients are:
• Ralph Vincent of Ste. Anne, a member of the Dawson Trail Cloggers and the Young at Heart Community Club, who has spent a good part of his life dancing for seniors and providing opportunities for seniors to dance;
• Théodore (Ted) Dupuis of Winnipeg, a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, past president of Le Club Éclipse and an active participant in the Residents’ Association at La Place Des Meurons;
• Pauline Miller of Belair, a church and community leader, and long-time volunteer with the Helping East Lake People organization and Senior Scene;
• Lynn Crawford of Winnipeg, who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of seniors by implementing programs such as the Resident Assistance Program, a resident-to-resident volunteer program that helps seniors to deal with addiction, mental-health and elder-abuse issues; and
• Poh-Lin Lim, a clinical nurse specialist in geriatrics at the Victoria General Hospital and a recognized authority in the care of the elderly.
In addition to the individual awards, the intergenerational recognition awards were presented to West St. Paul School and the Winnipeg Folk Festival.
The staff and students of West St. Paul School were recognized for many years of support given to the Middlechurch Home including a fall cleanup of the Middlechurch grounds, a grandparent visiting program, decorating and carolling during the holiday season, and raising more than $1,400 for a Santa for Seniors Fund, which provides gifts for Middlechurch residents who otherwise wouldn’t receive gifts or greetings.
The Winnipeg Folk Festival was recognized for its Guest for a Day program, which invites seniors to come to the festival free of charge. Transportation, lunch and dinner are provided to guests as a way of giving back to the community and helping to bring all ages together.
Rondeau also presented the 2011 Murray Smith Award, which honours the late prominent educator, volunteer and seniors advocate, and former chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging.
This year’s recipient was John Neabel of Minnedosa. Neabel has volunteered extensively in the Minnedosa community, serving as president of the Minnedosa Rotary Club, chair of the Fitness Centre Board, a developer of the Minnedosa Fitness Trail, member of the Minnedosa Chamber of Commerce and volunteer with the Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line.
In addition to the awards, honourable mention certificates were presented to the following individuals and programs:
• Doug Buckingham, Winnipeg;
• Julienne Godard, Richer;
• Keith Laing, Winnipeg;
• Dr. Douglas MacEwan, Winnipeg;
• Marguerite Ruddell, Portage la Prairie;
• The Aboriginal Seniors’ Resource Centre, Winnipeg;
• The Nutrition on the Go volunteers, Youville Centre, Winnipeg;
• Christine Schroeder, Winnipeg; and
• Juliette Rowan, Richer.
The Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Awards were established in 1996 to recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations for their exemplary efforts on behalf of seniors and to pay tribute to the seniors who continue to contribute to their communities. The minister noted these awards foster respect and social inclusion, key aspects of an age-friendly community.
More information on age-friendly communities is available at www.agefriendlymanitoba.ca.
