Do Good FeelGood

Meet Airdrie’s most outstanding volunteers of the year

They could be that person taking your ticket, directing traffic, delivering that meal, filling a food hamper or just in the background making sure things run in a smooth fashion.

No matter in what they enlist, these volunteers ask for little recognition – whether they’re sharing an hour as a companion, helping heal an injured animal, mentoring a youth, coaching a minor sport or even picking up a paint brush for some community beautification.

The possibilities for community involvement are endless. Fortunately Airdrie residents, from all walks of life, take that helpful step to fill the gap between a community and a caring community.

“Every day someone in Airdrie is volunteering to make a difference. They volunteer because they believe in the importance of helping their neighbours, supporting causes they believe in and contributing to their community,” says Clay Aragon, City of Airdrie Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) co-ordinator.

Fathers and mothers, grandparents, teenagers and even children come together in a combined force, taking pride in building a better tomorrow.

For those who answer the call, reward is measured from the heart and not the wallet. Whether out front or behind the scenes, volunteers donate one of the most precious commodities obtainable: their time.

Airdrionians had plenty to be proud of in 2009. Volunteer numbers exceeded expectations for several events, including the Airdrie centennial celebration, the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games and the Airdrie Air Show.

“It is so important to recognize volunteers who willingly sacrifice their time and energy, dedicating themselves to vital services in the community,” Aragon says.

That recognition came during the National Volunteer Week celebration and concluded April 21 with the Volunteers of the Year Awards ceremony.

Residents were asked to nominate their friends and neighbours who are making a dif- ference in the community by volunteering in some capacity.

Nominations were accepted in four categories: Airdrie Leader of Tomorrow – recognizing youths (aged 11 to 18) who have displayed leadership; Airdrie Ambassador – conferred upon an Airdrie business owner or entity that has contributed in promoting the city; Volunteer Advocate – given to a not-for-profit group which displays leadership and promotes volunteerism; and Soul of Airdrie – recognizing volunteer contributions in the fields of art and culture, athletics, social and community services.

Selected from among a dedicated group of nominees, Bert Church High School Grade 12 student kirsten dYck was the recipient of the Leader of Tomorrow Award.

The honour-roll student was praised for her desire to enact social change through involvement with several committees and organizations – she is president of student council, editor-in-chief of the yearbook and member of the Christian Club and Students for Change committee.

“My passion and motivation for volunteering has never been to elicit praise or recognition. [My goal] is to give back to my community for generations to come,” says Dyck.

She has also represented her school at many training and leadership forums, including youth summit and youth mentoring forums. Dyck has displayed quality leadership and spearheaded fundraising activities through wake-a-thons, World Vision 30-Hour Famine and Operation Christmas Child, as well as volunteering with Airdrie Food Bank.

“My belief is that our volunteering and developing a sense of community caring starts with one-on-one interaction,” says Dyck, who has been mentoring younger students at several elementary schools in Airdrie. “I believe that by providing a positive role model to children [who] I mentor I can make an impact, however small, in that individual. Impact just one life and you will see the positive changes.”

Also nominated in the Leader of Tomorrow category were: Amy Wheeler, Anna Fei, Cora McEachern, Danica MacDonald and Sabrina Niesman.

Standing alone in the Ambassador Award category, PAt cAshion of Vitreous Glass Inc. was recognized for more than 10 years of volunteer support throughout the community.

Cashion has been involved in a wide variety of not-for-profit agencies in Airdrie, including providing contributions of up to $50,000 in funding each year.

He has also donated personal funds to organizations that benefit youths and families, most notably Community Links (formerly called Airdrie Family Services).

Cashion was commended for his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents of Airdrie.

“I feel very humbled to be selected in this way. I do acknowledge the kindness of Community Links for nominating me,” he says.

A past board chairman of the Alberta College of Art and Design, Cashion has also sat on the Community Health and Pre-School Education For the Homeless committee and Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.

Through his volunteerism and philanthropy, the business owner has helped such groups as Airdrie Food Bank and Airdrie Boys and Girls Club, just to name a couple.

“The people [who] I think are the unsung heroes of this whole piece are the people [who] work there for a living day after day. These people do this not as a job … but they’re really doing this as a mission,” Cashion humbly adds.

Displaying their bright-red, pin-laden vests, Airdrie lioness cluB members were honoured with the Volunteer Advocate Award.

With 17 core members, the not-for-profit organization, formed in 1977, was celebrated for community leadership and playing an important part in the community spirit that has been instrumental in Airdrie’s success.

Airdrie Lioness Club members have been regular contributors in helping organize and participate at the Home and Garden Show, Airdrie Food Bank, blood donor clinics and the Christmas Adopt-a-Family program. Whether selling pies or dancing with Cedarwood Station residents, the Lionesses never shy away from a volunteer task.

“I volunteer with 16 absolutely amazing women. There are members [who] have been part of the Airdrie Lioness Club since its inception in 1977,” says Glenda Alexander.

In 1986 the enthusiastic club took over the Christmas hamper program. Last year the members logged more than 2,400 volunteer hours, raising funds necessary to purchase supplies and distribute 206 Christmas hampers and 200 backpacks targeted for disadvantaged families in Airdrie.

“Often we get to times when we’re just exhausted from the work that we do and we’re called upon to help out in the commu- nity again. It never fails,” says Alexander. “I’m honoured to be part of this group.”

Other groups nominated in the Advocate category were: Airdrie 2009 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games Society, Airdrie RCMP detachment volunteers, Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association and Bethany Airdrie.

Sacrificing time and energy, with an estimated 25,000 hours of volunteer contributions to his community, MurrAY BuchAnAn received the Soul of Airdrie Award.

Demonstrating a passion for building a better community, Buchanan has been a dedicated volunteer in Airdrie since 1984.

A well-known coach, standing behind the bench in lacrosse, soccer and hockey, Buchanan was also president of the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association for five years.

But he may be best recognized as one of the founding members of the Airdrie Nose Creek Park Association, helping bring together other volunteers and selling pieces of the park to complete the project.

“Airdrie in my mind is a caring, friendly community. We look out for our neighbours when they need help. That is what makes Airdrie so, so special,” Buchanan says.

Apart from sitting on the community service advisory board, Buchanan was instrumental in the development and construction of the twin arenas facility, now named the Ron Ebbesen Arena. Recognizing the importance of athletic facilities in the community, he spearheaded the project, which was completed in seven months without utilizing any municipal funding.

Buchanan says his success comes from working with many other dedicated volunteers.

“Over the years I have been so fortunate to get to volunteer with so many tremendous people in this community,” he says. “I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to get to work with those people. Just to be nominated was an honour and I’m very humbled with this award.”

Also nominated for the Soul of Airdrie Award were: Audrey Raw, Grace Sipes, Irene Putnam, Judy Dufort, Patti Harris, Lily Sadler, Lise Blanchette and Muriel Smith. life

Airdrie is a vibrant, caring community rich in urban amenities and opportunities for everyone. The community values a healthy, sustainable environment connecting people and places.

Following these values, the fledgling AirdrieONE community plan is a work in progress. Replacing the former municipal development plan and growing from the EnVision sustainability plan, the new initiative encompasses both previous highlevel strategic plans and brings together, in one document, the goals and objectives of all City master plans and communitybased initiatives.

“Historically and traditionally, municipal development plans have been planning documents. We want this to be a community document reflecting the community’s desires as we move forward,” says Jamie Dugdale, City of Airdrie planning department team leader.

“AirdrieONE is different,” says Dugdale’s colleague Jennifer Stevenson, “because it will have one vision and one direction. There will be co-ordination between [City] departments.”

Enhanced communication is key to the plan, with the focus changing from what departments were achieving in isolation to how various departments fit and work together. The primary goal is achieving understanding between departments, all governed by the same guidelines.

AirdrieONE was developed in consultation with the community through a residents survey conducted by Bannister Research between November 2009 and January 2010. Email feedback with unique, interesting and useful ideas has been received, and well-attended community cafés have served as brainstorming sessions, gathering information on how the community would like to see Airdrie develop in regard to housing, commercial areas and other services and amenities to a population of 180,000 people.

Using the information, Stevenson has written the initial draft of the policy, which has been circulated among the City departments. In late summer it will be posted on the AirdrieONE website (www.airdrie.ca/ oneplan) and the plan will be presented to city council in September.

Included in the plan are such AirdrieONE principles as well-managed growth; distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of people and place; walkable neighbourhoods; a variety of transportation choices; and environmental stewardship and sustainability. Arts, heritage and culture are also addressed and the plan includes input from Airdrie youth community. “Retaining youth is very important,” says Dugdale. “We want to ask older teens what would have kept them in Airdrie and younger teens what would keep them here in the future.”

An ecological inventory exploring such elements as riparian corridors, wildlife connectivity features and areas prone to flooding has been completed. The report will be used as a guide for sustainable planning and management of long-term growth.

Three focus groups will be formed this summer and, with Bannister Research’s assistance, will address future aspects of development.

Residents are encouraged to visit AirdrieONE’s website often for updated information. “Our biggest challenge is getting people involved,” says Dugdale. life riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome at Airdrie BMX