Despite the cancellation of their March 18 banquet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the 2020 Edmonton-area Integrity Awards feel it’s important to salute the 10 non-Rotarians who were nominated by participating clubs. A release from the committee states that “the awards recognize individuals who have given themselves to better humanity and improve our community … but have not been adequately recognized elsewhere.” Since 1994, Edmonton-area Rotary clubs have banded together to recognize non-Rotarians who have exemplified the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
“From working to improve the life of people with disabilities to supporting the Girl Guides and the Boys and Girls Clubs, to ensuring that babies in the Edmonton area have the clothes, books, and toys they need to grow into healthy, successful adults, this year’s Rotary Integrity Award recipients are an inspirational lot,” says committee co-chair Lee Foote (RC of Edmonton).
Individual clubs are being encouraged to celebrate their nominees when circumstances permit.
“Around the world, Rotary is all about serving our communities and we are excited to recognize 10 deserving non-Rotarians from the Edmonton area who demonstrate high ethical standards and give of themselves to improve people’s lives,” says Rotary Club of Edmonton president Neil Lang, who was part of the organizing committee.
Here are the 2020 Edmonton-area Integrity Award recipients:
Dr. Ross Wien (nominated by RC of Edmonton) – Dr. Wein established the Alberta Abilities Lodges Society and created a fully accessible outdoor lodge for the 400,000 Albertans living with physical or cognitive impairment.
Michelle Hordal (RC of Edmonton Whyte Avenue) – Michelle created AdaptAbilities 16 years ago, to serve people with special needs and their families with nurturing spaces and respite care.
Zane Nykiforuk (RC of Sherwood Park) – Zane is at the core of WE CARE, a faith-based group that focuses on the real-world physical and nutritional needs of those with little.
Lynda Chapelsky (RC of Nisku-Leduc) – Lynda has been and continues to be a leader in many Leduc community groups, including the Zirka Ukrainian dancers, the Black Gold Health Foundation and the Leduc Arts Foundry, to name a few.
Lana Santan (RC of Fort Saskatchewan) – Since arriving from Trinidad and Tobago 13 years ago, Lana has volunteered for causes including the Fort Saskatchewan Mulitcultural Society, Girl Guides, the RCMP and Black History Month.
Jeanette Boman (RC of Edmonton Riverview) – Jeanette works tirelessly to make the Belgravia Community League a vibrant body for all ages with a new community hall, numerous activities and Made in Belgravia classes where neighbours teach each other everything from drumming circles to cellphone photography to backyard bee keeping.
Cornel Rusnak (RC of Edmonton Northeast) – From minor hockey to revitalizing 118th Avenue, to the long-running Variety Show, to repairing Western Canada’s oldest cenotaph, Cornell has made and continues to make a difference in the Beverly community.
Shannon Steward (RC of Edmonton Glenora) – Shannon is president of Basically Babies, which provides some 450 family kits with baby clothes, snowsuits, summer hats, shoes, towels, blankets and toys to ensure infants have the best chance of success.
Trish Bowman (RC of Edmonton Sunrise) – For 14 years, Trish has been paving the way for people with disabilities to achieve meaningful and fulfilling lives. As CEO of Inclusion Alberta, she focuses on inclusion at the post-secondary level.
Diane Kyle-Buchanan (RC of Edmonton West) – In October 2015, thanks to Dianne’s leadership and generosity, the Buchanan Centre for Parkinson’s was established in Edmonton to provide information and support to people living with this heartbreaking disease.