Age Friendly Manitoba

October 26, 2007

MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR SENIORS CONGRATULATES 2007 MANITOBA COUNCIL ON AGING AWARD WINNERS

Recognition awards for outstanding contributions to seniors and their communities were distributed today to eight Manitobans and three community organizations by Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for seniors, at the Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Awards.

"These awards were designed to give much-deserved recognition to Manitobans including older adults and community organizations who have gone above and beyond to support seniors in their communities," said Irvin-Ross. "I am very pleased to see that we are recognizing many people and organizations from rural and northern Manitoba. This reflects the tremendous work people are doing in communities all over the province."

2007 individual recipients of the award were:

• Gertrude Bell, Winnipeg;
• Norm Black, Gimli;
• Jean Chorney, Beausejour;
• Doreen Parsons, Winnipeg;
• Charles Finnie, Kenton;
• Daniel Heinrichs, Winnipeg; and
• Ruth Katz, Winnipeg.

The winners of the organization category were the Morris Manor Board, Good Neighbours Seniors Centre of Winnipeg and La Fédération des aînés franco-manitobans inc. (FAFM) of Winnipeg.

The 2007 Murray Smith Award went to Alex Krawac for his outstanding community work in the town of Stonewall. The award was established in honour of the late Murray Smith, former chair of the Manitoba Council on Aging. Smith was a prominent educator and an active volunteer and advocate for seniors. The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional skills in the areas of advocacy, volunteerism and policy influence.

The Manitoba Council on Aging was established in 1980 as an advisory body to the minister responsible for seniors. The awards were established in 1996 to recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations for their exemplary efforts on behalf of seniors. In addition to the 11 2007 award winners, honourable mention certificates were presented to seven individuals and five organizations in recognition of October as Seniors' and Elders' Month in Manitoba.

back to top

Award Winners, Organizations

Morris Manor Board

• Nominated by the Town of Morris and supported by the Church of the Cross and a resident of Morris Manor.
• Volunteer board that manages the operations of a seniors' complex which provides affordable rental housing to older adults in Morris.
• Board handles the operations, finances and day-to-day operations of the complex.
• Members of the board include representation from the churches of Morris, a representative from the Town of Morris and one from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Morris.
• Provides services above and beyond the responsibility of a landlord.

Good Neighbours Senior Centre

• Nominated by Manitoba Association of Multi-Purpose Senior Centres and supported by the St. James-Assiniboia Senior Centre and members.
• One of the largest senior centres in Winnipeg with a membership of approximately 1,000.
• Offers a wide variety of programs and services to its members and those living in the River East community (including a variety of outreach programs).
• Strong partnerships with other community organizations (River East Seniors Resource Council, Age & Opportunity, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority health resource team, etc.) to further enhance and diversify programs and services.
• Actively involved in the Manitoba Association of Multi-Purpose Senior Centres and on the Seniors and Elders Day Committee.

Fédération des aînés franco-manitobans inc. (FAFM)

• Supported by the Executive Council of Club Eclipse '79 Inc. and a FAFM member.
• Mission is to be the official voice of francophones 55 and over and to represent their interests by developing services and activities in French such as health information sessions, theatre, 233-Allo service, Envol 91.1 radio, etc.
• Enriching the lives of Franco-Manitobans for the last 30 years (established in 1977).

back to top

Honourable Mentions, Organizations

Lac du Bonnet Pioneer Club

• Nominated by Town of Lac du Bonnet and supported by Two Rivers Seniors Resource Council and the RM of Lac du Bonnet.
• Seniors group that offers health, social and recreational programs.
• Has developed a strong partnership with the Two Rivers Seniors Resource Council.

Reh-Fit Centre

• Supported by members.
• Health and fitness centre that offers a cardiac rehabilitation program and senior-friendly programming.
• Older adults comprise approximately 60 per cent of its membership.
• Helped establish the Manitoba chapter of the Active Living Coalition of Older Adults (ALCOA).

Medication Line for the Elderly (MILE) - University of Manitoba

• Nominated by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and supported by the River East Seniors Health Resource Team and Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors.
• Provides access to timely, relevant and reliable medication information to clients to allow informed decisions about the medicines they take which in turn helps reduce the incidence of medication-related problems and improves the quality of life of older adults.

Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital

• Nominated by ALCOA.
• Inspires members of the community to embrace healthier lifestyles.
• A leader in providing programs and services directly targeted to the older adult population.

NORMAN Seniors Team

• Supported by the University College of the North and Keeway Wellness.
• Promotes healthy aging by developing and implementing programs for older adults living in the NORMAN Regional Health Authority.
• Programs include the Congregate Meal Program, Birthday Club Program, Movements that Matter, services to seniors in group living, emergency response information kits, social outings for seniors, seniors wellness clinics and Seniors in motion.
• In addition to producing an elder abuse resource guide for professionals in the region, the team has also increased awareness of elder abuse through ongoing education events throughout the year and planned recognition events for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day for the last two years.

back to top

Award Winners, Individuals

Norm Black

• Nominated by the Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre and supported by the Gimli Seniors Resource Council, Kiwanis Club of Gimli & District, Gimli Citizens on Patrol Program and Royal Canadian Legion Gimli Branch #182.
• Outstanding volunteer with the Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre and community of Gimli.
• Nominated as being one of Gimli New Horizons' 55+ Over The Top volunteers for accumulating 1,400 volunteer hours from April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007.
• Centre volunteer activities include being a member of the board of directors (including president), cooking in the kitchen for social and catering events, and repairing various pieces of equipment.
• Also volunteers with the Gimli Seniors Resource Council, Kiwanis Club of Gimli & District, Gimli Citizens on Patrol Program, the Royal Canadian Legion Gimli Branch #182 and assisted with the 2006 Manitoba Society of Seniors provincial games.

Jean Chorney

• Nominated by community member.
• President and long-time member of the Beausejour Beau Head Senior Club.
• Under her leadership, the club has grown, offering a wide variety of activities four afternoons a week and some evenings.
• Takes it upon herself to ensure the club is always accessible and those requiring transportation are given rides when needed.
• Provides the club with fresh vegetables from her garden for lunches.

Doreen Parsons

• Nominated by a community member and supported by the South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council and MLA Diane McGifford.
• Is a committed, caring woman who has overcome severe obstacles and has gone on to tirelessly improve her community and help others.
• Is a self-described elder and advisor, continuing to offer her opinion and help her fellow community members whenever they need assistance.
• One of the most active volunteers at the Fred Tipping Place.
• Has been president of the tenants' board on three occasions.
• Advocated for and received exercise equipment, transformations to the common room and a library for residents.

Charles Finnie

• Nominated by Woodworth Senior Services.
• Supported by the RM of Woodworth and community members.
• Continues to this day to remain actively involved in the lives of all his family members, embracing the importance of the family unit.
• Volunteers at the Royal Canadian Legion (previously as president), his church, the Kenton Co-op, the national farm radio forum, Kenton community enterprises such as building the Memorial Hall, Knights of Pythias, Greenwood Cemetery and serves on the local town council.

Daniel Heinrichs

• Nominated by Anne Scuba and supported by community members.
• Wrote a book on caring for his wife Norah who had Alzheimer's disease and donated the books free of charge to individuals and various organizations across Canada, the U.S. and South America.  Also writes articles in the Seniors To-Day journal on Alzheimer's disease.
• Performed presentations and promoted a better understanding of how to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease.
• Volunteers in personal-care homes and at the Lord Selkirk School Library.
• Member of the Manitoba Association of Gerontology, Manitoba Society of Seniors, Age & Opportunity, Creative Retirement and Alzheimer's Society and volunteers with some of these organizations at events.

Ruth Katz

• Nominated by the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre and supported by Seven Oaks Seniors' Links.
• Volunteer program co-ordinator for the Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre shuttle bus program.
• Calls participants (up to a 100) on a weekly basis encouraging them to participate in the Gwen Secter programs. If they need transportation, she makes all the arrangements.
• Believes encouraging social participation helps reduce social isolation among these older adults.

Gertrude Bell

• Nominated by Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors and supported by Rupertsland Caregiver Services and Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
• Volunteer with Partners Seeking Solutions with Seniors.
• Has raised awareness among private businesses about the services available to their older customers in the broader community and about the information needs of older adults and has increased the desire to expand the concept of providing a service to older adults.
• Also volunteered with South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council, Rupertsland Caregiver Services, Age & Opportunity and Gwen Sector Creative Living Centre.

back to top

Honourable Mentions, Individuals

Lynda Jones

• Nominated by the Good Neighbours Senior Centre and supported by the River East Council for Seniors and River East Seniors Health Resource Team.
• Role model and strong advocate for active living and older adults.
• Spent much of her career and volunteer time encouraging and supporting older adults in fitness and wellness programs.
• In 1993, she became the lead fitness instructor at Good Neighbours, starting a variety of classes including Walk-n-talk and Nice-n-Easy.
• Organized a number of free healthy living workshops and taught fitness to a number of seniors.
• Volunteers at Good Neighbours, organizing a number of special events and working with the Volunteer Advisory Committee.

Danica Zelenitsky, Courtney Schwegel and Chantel Zelenitsky

• Nominated by the Evergreen School Division and supported by the Gimli Seniors Resource Council.
• Recruited by the Gimli Seniors Resource Council to become a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program which involves delivering meals to older adults living in their homes who are need of nutritious meals.
• Through this program, these students from Gimli High School have formed great intergenerational relationships.

Ruth McIsaac

• Nominated by Age & Opportunity.
• Volunteer with Age & Opportunity since 2003 as a front-desk volunteer and supporter for the agency's annual barbecue.
• Spent countless hours this year contacting sponsors for silent auction donations.
• Participated in Age & Opportunity's recent elder abuse public awareness campaign.

Elaine Hickerson

• Nominated by Good Neighbours Senior Centre and supported by River East Council for Seniors and the River East Seniors Health Resource Team.
• Has volunteered at the Good Neighbours Senior Centre since 1998 because she enjoys learning from the people she works with. Among other things, she interviews new members, assisting them to find ways to fulfil their lives after retirement. She is chair of the Volunteer Advisory Committee, friendly server at various events and a customer service representative.
• She has worked as a volunteer co-ordinator for CancerCare, transferring her skills to volunteer work after retirement.

Rene Lamontagne

• Nominated by community members and supported by other community members.
• Role model in community.
• Volunteers at the local church in Snow Lake including membership on the Our Lady of the Snows parish pastoral council and is a volunteer driver.
• Is the parade marshal for Snow Lake's July 1 festivities.
• Assists others by visiting and assisting during times of need.
• Member of the Elks Club where he has been an executive member.

back to top

Murray Smith Award

Alex Krawec

• Nominated by South Interlake 55 Plus Inc.
• Supported by the Town of Stonewall.
• Long-time volunteer commitments with the Kinsmen Club of Stonewall, Christ the King Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Stonewall and District Health Centre, South Interlake Fifty-Plus Inc., Interlake Community Foundation, Interlake School Division Board, South Interlake Seniors Resource Council, Town of Stonewall Council and the Stonewall Centennial Planning Committee.
• Contributed toward the development of the town of Stonewall while on the town council.
• Professional educator and volunteer for school boards as mediator and consultant.
• Supporter of the Manitoba Association of Multi-Purpose Senior Centres.

back to top