Integrity: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values, incorruptibility - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Some 1.4 million members of over 40,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries around the world seek to serve the community and promote high ethical standards embodied in the ideals of Rotary International. Rotary Clubs in the Capital Region sponsor the Integrity Awards to honour the non-Rotarian citizens for their integrity and service to the community.
Recipients are those Albertans judged by the respective clubs as persons who:
- have a lifestyle consistent with the Four-Way Test
- have a life showing purpose and expressing principles widely accepted in the community;
- take a stand without concern for personal loss or reputation, regardless of circumstances;
- pursue their integrity without need for recognition within the community;
- and have made a personal contribution to the region that warrants special recognition.
2023 Integrity Award Winner - Colleen Zimmerman
L to R - Lorne Yeo, Myrtle Smyth, Colleen Zimmerman, Sylvia Farrar, Jamie McNamara
The Foundation's Executive Director, Colleen Zimmerman, recently received the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc 2023 Integrity Award.
"Colleen Zimmerman is a dedicated community leader with a passion for health, faith and children. Throughout her lifetime, Colleen has contributed to various organizations as a board member, event organizer and volunteer, always with a focus on making a positive impact in her community."
Congratulations, Colleen! The Foundation knows how deserving you are of this award.
2022 Integrity Award Winners - Rob & Kimberly Reeves
The Nisku-Leduc Rotary Club is proud to nominate Rob and Kimberly Reeves as the joint recipients of the 2022 Integrity Award. As leading members of the business community in Leduc County for some 24 years, Rob and Kimberly have been operating RAD Torque Raceway, previously known as Castrol Raceway. This Raceway is a destination for race car drivers and spectators from across North America While this sports-business venture has added a great deal to the entire Greater Edmonton area, the Nisku-Leduc Rotary Club has particularly witnessed Rob and Kimberly’s generosity and involvement in charitable causes in Leduc and area.
The Reeves have made it possible for the Nisku-Leduc Rotary Club to sell some $1.5 million in 50/50 tickets at the Raceway.
Over the years Rob and Kimberly have, through RAD Torque and Castrol Raceway donated consistently more than $100,000.00 each year to various community groups and Not For Profits. Recipients have included charities in the Greater Edmonton community as well as the Leduc community.
Some of the worthy recipients have included the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, regional food banks, MADD, STARRS Air Ambulance, among many others.
Every Christmas season the Leduc community looks forward to the trip to the Magic of Lights festival at the raceway, which is quite a show, and an opportunity to donate to the food bank
Rob and Kimberly Reeves, married for 20 years, are active in the community and consistently put Service Above Self. They are known in the community to be people of integrity, and we believe them to live in accordance with the 4 Way Test.
Older YouTube video when in was called Castrol Raceway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E4G41gYN6A
2021 Integrity Award Winner - CLARENCE SHIELDS
“Get ‘er done!” is an adage that has become synonymous with Clarence Shields. Clarence’s legacy is comprised of his family business ventures, his community service endeavours and his commitment to his family.Clarence has committed time and support to many community service projects including being a charter and past member of the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc. A sample of his community involvement includes founder of the Tree of Hope Charitable Society and the Leduc Gaming Operators Association which have donated $250,000 and $800,000 respectively to local service groups and charities. Clarence is a major sponsor of the Leduc Grain Elevator Society. His business, Blackjacks Roadhouse, serves as a staging area and annually hosts numerous charity events. Once of Clarence’s proudest events is the Shields Annual Free Christmas Dinner serving dinner to 600 plus people which his family has been doing for 44 years in Fort McMurray and then in Nisku.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, Clarence returned to Fort McMurray and joins his father, Jack, in creating SML Industries along with his brothers, John and Jim. SML ventures included an A&W Drive-in, Smitty’s Family Restaurant, Dairy Queen and 5 other independent restaurant, bar and nightclub facilities located in Fort McMurray. SML also acquired Redwood Ready Mix concrete and gravel pits in Fort McMurray, Barrhead and Westlock as well as numerous commercial and warehouse and retail spaces.
The 1980-85 National Energy Program took its toll on the Shields Family businesses and forced them to start over. Clarence moved to Leduc, starting his first venture for the Shieldco Group of Companies. The Shieldco Group continues to own and operate the Airways Country Inn and Airport Parking, Blackjacks Roadhouse and Truck Stop, Nisku Digital Signs, Northern Lights Supply, Airways Liquor Store, and consulting services for the hospitality industry.
Family time and community service is particularly important to Clarence and his wife Ingrid who live in Leduc. Ingrid has been instrumental in representing and enhancing the arts community in Leduc and region as president of the Leduc Art Club and founding member of the Leduc Arts Foundry. Their three adult children, Krysta, Derek, and Jacqueline live close by and are an important part of their lives.
Clearly Clarence lives the objects of Rotary and is a deserving recipient of the Integrity Award.
2020 Winner - Lynda Chapelsky
2019 Winner - John Bole
2018 Winner - Faiza Moussa
2017 Winner - Tena Van Boom
2016 Winners - Tina and Lorne Mix
2015 Winner - Eugene Miller
2014 Winner - Doug Ruel
2013 Winner - Vince May
2012 Winner - Gordon Blair Sands
2011 Winner - Kristie Stevenson
2010 Winner - Lynn Samaroden
2009 Winner - Edna McHarg2008 Winner - Terry Atkinson
2007 Winner - John Bachinsky
2006 Winner - Dr. Dennis Redmond
2005 Winner - Mel Hickey
2004 Winner - Neil Sutcliffe
2003 Winner - Gary Kwasnecha
2002 Winner - Harry Zuzak
2001 Winner - Dr. John Smyth
2000 Winner - Doris Smith
1999 Winner - Dorothy Lowrie
1998 Winner - Phyllis Smith
1997 Winner - Lorraine Ceasar
1996 Winner - Sally Floden
1995 Winner - Lloyd Thompson
1994 Winner - Norman Hartfelder