The Direct Energy Volunteer Citizen of the Year

Direct Energy recognizes outstanding Albertans who have demonstrated exemplary volunteer contributions in their community. The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding community service, commitment and involvement.

 

The Rocky Mountain Adaptive (RMA) is a charitable organization that provides adaptive mountain sport and recreation programs to those affected by physical, developmental or cognitive impairments. The organization offers over 20 outdoor activities, thanks to their talented instructors and volunteers who understand the needs of each athlete.

In only two years with RMA, Maria's impact has been extensive. With comprehensive ski knowledge, Lau's contributions have offered hundreds of life changing experiences to individuals with disabilities and their families. Her ability to understand the needs of a wide array of individuals, paired with her drive to help others have made her contributions invaluable. Lau will receive the $5,000 donation from Direct Energy to Rocky Mountain Adaptive. The donation will be used to develop RMAs volunteer training program, and volunteer recognition initiatives. 

Barbara Anderson and Corinne Bleakley are recognized for their tremendous contributions and countless hours given to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. They are stand-out volunteers providing above and beyond care to the organization. 

Joanna Buisman and Christine Guest have been actively involved in the St. Albert Sturgeon Hospice Association for 9 years, dedicating their time to improving end of life care in their community. The tenacity of both women's volunteerism has left an eminent legacy on the St. Albert and Sturgeon County. 

As a retired RCMP officer and Mayor of Redwater, Dave McRae has demonstrated outstanding initiative in the community of Redwater. Notably, Dave has been a member of the Redwater Lions Club for 14 years where his superb leadership, compassion, and dedication are outwardly revealed by his thoughtful execution of Lions Club initiatives. 

Through her career as a support worker and educational assistant, Dorothy Staniforth discovered the need to provide individuals with developmental disabilities a sense of community. She is the co-founder of the Bow Valley Connections Centre, an organization that offers community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities through various recreational and social activities. Dorothy is applauded for her perseverance and initiative within the organization.