December 5th is marked as International Volunteer Day by the United Nations.
In recognition of this day, the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organization (VolunteerGP), in partnership with the City of Grande Prairie, hosted the Annual International Volunteer Day Celebration Breakfast featuring the 2023 Volunteer Awards!
The breakfast was held at the Grande Prairie & District Golden Age Centre to show appreciation to volunteers in our community and around the world.
The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Barbeque Crew prepared and provided the annual breakfast.
Tim Hortons donated Coffee & Northgate Safeway donated juice.
During the Event, the City of Grande Prairie presented the George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award to Beth Goldie and the Bill Bowes Volunteer Organization of the Year Award to the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre.
VolunteerGP awarded the following:
Leaders of Tomorrow Awards – sponsored by International Paper
- Leadership Award: Holly Ruigrok and Robert Nelson.
- Volunteerism Award: Polina Kovalinksa and Alyssa Brown.
- Advocacy Award: Rylee Martin and Jenna Peterson.
- Perseverance Award: Crystal Hepditch and Kenneth Livesey.
Click Here for more on the 2023 Leaders of Tomorrow Awards
Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Servus Credit Union
Leonard Auger – Leonard is involved with various volunteer organizations, including as the President of the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. His guidance in fostering a sustainable environment in the past twelve months, has established a foundation for ongoing support and programs benefiting Indigenous communities.
Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Prairie Mall
MNP LLP – Over the past year, MNP LLP commitment to employee-led volunteerism has profoundly benefited various community non-profits, demonstrating the powerful impact of corporate social responsibility.
Outstanding Citizen of the Year Awards
Cindy Huber, Robert Sibbeston, Pat Cooke, Shelly Steen, Grande Prairie Senior’s Outreach and Kleskun Hill Museum Society Volunteers
Click Here for more on the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Congratulations to all.
The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations would like to thank the following organizations for their support: the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Barbeque Crew for providing & preparing the breakfast; Northgate Safeway for donating juice; Tim Hortons for donating coffee; Leaders of Tomorrow Awards sponsor International Paper; Volunteer of the Year Award sponsor Servus Credit Union; and Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award sponsor Prairie Mall.
Thanks to Golden Age Centre, Emcee Tom Pura, and the City & County of Grande Prairie representatives for reading the proclamation. Special thanks to the following organizations for donating door prizes:
- Costco
- Northgate Safeway
- Homesteader Health Foods
- Grande Prairie Regional Tourism
- Grande Spirit Foundation
- Grande Prairie Live Theatre
- OMG Cupcakes
- Popeye’s Supplements
- Cobs Bread Bakery – Westgate Shopping Centre
- Better than Fred’s
- Centre for Young Parents Project Thrift Shop
- Koolio’s
- International Paper
- GNC
- Crouse’s Cleaners
- Off the Wheaton Path
- Primitive Lane
- The Bed Shoppe
- Mr. Mike’s
2023 Leaders of Tomorrow Awards Sponsored by:
Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by:
Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by:
Breakfast prepared and provided by:
Coffee donated by:
Juice donated by:
Door Prize Sponsor:
Learn more about International Volunteer Day:
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (December 5), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
International Volunteer Day is celebrated by many non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector, among others. It is also marked and supported by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program.
IVD is a chance for individual volunteers, communities and organizations to promote their contributions to development at the local, national and international levels. By combining United Nations support with a grassroots mandate, the day is a unique opportunity for people and volunteer-involving organizations to work with government agencies, non-profit institutions, community groups, academia and the private sector.
IVD is marked around the world every year in over 80 countries annually. For more information on International Volunteer Day visit https://www.unv.org/international-volunteer-day.
