Direct in the community – Volunteer Citizen of the Year

Direct Energy Marketing Limited (Direct Energy) is proud to support community volunteerism in Alberta through the direct in the community – Volunteer Citizen of the Year Awards – in partnership with the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA).

Designed to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by volunteers to communities served by the AWNA, the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Awards will recognize one individual or group for the difference they make to the communities in which they live.

Congratulations to Vic Sadlowski, 2008 Volunteer Citizen of the Year.

Vic Sadlowski serves many associations in Bonnyville including the Health Foundation, FCSS Volunteer Income Tax program, Victims Services, St. Joseph’s Parish Baptism Committee, Education Committee, 2010 Alberta Winter Games Committee, Volunteer Recognition Services and Junior A Pontiacs hockey team. He acts as Master of Ceremonies at various events throughout the year, tutors students in math and is on-call 24 hours a day to assist victims of accidents or tragedy. He has served as Alberta Centennial Ambassador, was on the Bonnyville Health Foundation Gala Fundraising Committee and prepares tax returns for local residents. Vic also helped collect items to send to Canadians serving in Afghanistan. If Vic is ever offered compensation for his assistance, he asks that a donation be made to a local charity instead.

The award consists of:

• $1,000 cash prize to the winner;
• $5,000 cash grant to the winner’s organization/cause of choice in their community;
• recognition of the winner’s achievement through a commemorative award, article and photo to be published in AWNA newspapers across Alberta; and
• special recognition of four semi-finalists.

The four finalists selected for outstanding volunteer efforts in their communities are:

• Vivian Tanasichuk of Lamont Alberta, who spends many hours helping residents at the Lamont Hospital Auxiliary. Vivian has a special place in her heart for seniors and assists them with various errands.
• Donna Smith of Calgary, who gives selflessly of her time to the Mustard Seed Street Ministry to help clients improve their literacy and job skills. Her efforts have also earned her the Literacy Alberta Award of Excellence.
• Carol Huisman of Fort MacLeod, who has volunteered for more than 10 years with the Kids First Family Centre, working on breakfast and lunch programs. Carol also donates her time to the local women’s shelter and her church community.
• Susan Williams, Pat Leavitt and Jolene Paxman of Raymond, directors of the Raymond High School Show Choir. These dedicated leaders have taken their talented group of students on tours all over the continent including Disneyland, Vancouver and Montana.

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