John Neudorf of NTL Pipelines is presented with the Passionate Heart Business Award at the 2020 Luncheon on Friday, February 14 (From L-R: City of Grande Prairie Councillor Jackie Clayton, Jared Holmquist with NTL Pipelines, NTL Pipelines President/Owner John Neudorf, County of Grande Prairie Councillor Karen Rosvold. Photo: EverythingGP Staff)

By Liam Verster

Passionate Hearts

Eight awards handed out at annual Passionate Hearts Celebration

Feb 18, 2020 | 12:31 PM

Individuals, teams, and businesses that have helped to improve the quality of life, or enhance social services in their community were recognized at the 14th annual Passionate Hearts Celebration and Luncheon on Friday, February 14.

The Family Community Support Services (FCSS) in the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, as well as the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley, and the Village of Hythe were all sponsors of Passionate Hearts this year, as a way to honour people and organizations who work to improve the quality of life for area residents.

The recipients of the 2020 Passionate Heart Awards fall into four categories:

Passionate Heart Exceptional Service Award:

• Sarah Herman, Grade Six Teacher, Peace Wapiti School Division
• James Walker, Clinical Supervisor and Psychologist, PACE
• Samantha Cabral, Program Manager, Beaverlodge Victim Services Unit
• Constable Joy Ajele, Investigator, RCMP
• Lisa Wiseman, Family & Parent Education, Peace Wapiti School Division

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Passionate Heart Exceptional Team Award:

• Camp Heal-A-Heart, Grande Prairie Grief Support Association: Jamie Tissington (Executive Director), Teanna Moen (Camp Coordinator), Kendal Cuthbert (Camp Counselor) and Bryan Dusseault (Camp Counselor).
• Safe Visitation Team, PACE: Kim Page (Safe Visitation Facilitator), Adeline Mohyluk (Safe Visitation Facilitator) and Marlene Iversen (Safe Visitation Program Coordinator).

Passionate Heart Business Award:

• NTL Pipelines Inc.

Chris Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Penny Mickanuck, Executive Director, John Howard Society of Grande Prairie
  Exceptional Service Award recipient Sarah Herman, Gr 6 teacher with the Peace Wapiti School Division with City of Grande Prairie Deputy Mayor Jackie Clayton and County of Grande Prairie Councillor & FCSSAA President Karen Rosvold (photo courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)
  Exceptional Service Award recipient James Walker, PACE Clinical Supervisor and Psychologist with City of Grande Prairie Deputy Mayor Jackie Clayton and County of Grande Prairie Councillor & FCSSAA President Karen Rosvold (photo courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)
  Exceptional Service Award recipient Samantha Cabral, Program Managers with Beaverlodge Victim Services Unit with City of Grande Prairie Deputy Mayor Jackie Clayton and County of Grande Prairie Councillor & FCSSAA President Karen Rosvold (photo courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)
  Business Awards recipients NTL Pipelines Inc. with City of Grande Prairie Deputy Mayor Jackie Clayton & County of Grande Prairie Councillor & FCSAA President Karen Rosvold (photo courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)
  Chris Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Penny Mickanuck from the John Howard Society with Chris Henderson, City of Grande Prairie Deputy Mayor Jackie Clayton & County of Grande Prairie Councillor & FCSAA President Karen Rosvold (photo courtesy of the County of Grande Prairie)

“(The day) is about celebrating and honoring the individuals, teams and business(es) who have demonstrated time and again that contributing time and attention to those in need, or helping the organizations that work with the individuals, creates healthier and stronger communities,” said Kathleen Turner, County of Grande Prairie FCSS Director in a release.

“This year’s recipients are once again, a well-deserving group who’ve made a difference in the lives of others. The fact that the nominations are made by their peers emphasizes how much these individuals and organizations are valued.”

“The social well-being of our communities is impacted everyday because of the hard-work and dedication of our front-line workers. These awards are our way of acknowledging and celebrating these everyday heroes that are committed to creating a healthy and thriving community,” adds Angela Sutherland, City of Grande Prairie Community Social Development Manager, in the same release.

Nominations for the awards are collected in January of each year, with the award ceremony taking place in mid-February.