NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2024

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Our office is located at 101, 10101 100 Ave Grande Prairie, AB.

The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations is a membership organization for the civic sector in the Northwest Peace Region, serving charitable and non-profit community organizations in the City and County of Grande Prairie and beyond.  Our member agencies and clients represent a broad region. They range from; small rural agricultural groups to large agencies providing services to families and individuals in distress, through to indigenous agencies, cultural agencies, sports groups & more.

OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED: December 24, 2024 to January 2, 2025 for Winter Break

Celebrate International Volunteer Day in Grande Prairie & Area!

In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly established International Volunteer Day (IVD) to commemorate the contributions and dedication of volunteers worldwide. Today, IVD is celebrated globally on December 5 by volunteers, voluntary organizations and all those who benefit directly from the endless help of a volunteer.

To celebrate International Volunteer Day (IVD), the City of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations (GP-RAVO) cordially invite volunteers, community organizations and community members who value and support volunteerism to attend the International Volunteer Day Celebration Breakfast featuring the 2024 Volunteer Awards on December 5, 2024, at the Golden Age Centre. Doors open at 7:00 a.m.

The Rotary Club of Grande Prairie Barbeque Crew prepares and provides the breakfast. Safeway generously donates juice.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024
• Time: Doors open at 7:00 am, Event starts at 7:30 am
• Location: The Golden Age Centre, -10222 101 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

As a part of the celebration, the City of GP & GP-RAVO will present the following Volunteer Awards:

City of Grande Prairie Awards:

• The George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award – This award recognizes individuals who have made a major contribution in the areas of recreation, culture, or social services to the community.
• The Bill Bowes Volunteer Organization Of The Year Award – This award to recognizes volunteer organizations or foundations in Grande Prairie that have provided outstanding contributions to the community through meritorious service, voluntary contributions and exemplary community development having a direct, positive effect on residents of the City of Grande Prairie.

GP-RAVO Awards:

• The 2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards – These awards recognize an individual and organization that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism over the past 12 months. Servus Credit Union sponsors the Individual Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Prairie Mall sponsors the Corporate Volunteer of the Year. Included with the Volunteer of the Year Awards is the Outstanding Citizens of the Year Awards recognizing individuals, groups and businesses who have improved the quality of life in the community through volunteer work.
• The Leaders of Tomorrow Awards – These awards recognize exceptional young leaders, in two age categories: Junior (13-15 years) and Senior (16-18 years), in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area. Recipients demonstrate dedication and excellence in their volunteer work fields (e.g. school, community, social activism, athletics, or arts) and inspire the spirit of volunteerism in others. This year’s Leaders of Tomorrow Awards is sponsored by International Paper.

GP-RAVO would like to thank the Rotary Club of GP BBQ Crew, the Golden Age Centre, Costco Wholesale Grande Prairie and Safeway for supporting this event, We would also like to thank Award Sponsors; International Paper, the Prairie Mall & Servus Credit Union.

Volunteers are an important part of any Non-Profit/Charitable Organization. Recognition is an important component of volunteer retention. When volunteers feel appreciated and important, they are more likely to feel connected to the program and continue their involvement.

A terrific way for your organization to thank your volunteer and let them know how much their contribution is appreciated is to nominate them for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week!

Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week program is a FREE recognition program, open to everyone in Grande Prairie & Area presented by the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations and Tim Hortons.

Those nominated for Volunteers of the Week are recognized on our website and social media sites, receive a letter of recognition from the Association and a gift from Tim Hortons. Volunteers of the Week recipients are also entered into our Volunteer of the Month Draw! The Winner of this draw is recognized as Volunteer of the Month with their picture on our website and social media sites, they also receive a $100 GIFT CARD from our sponsor Tim Hortons!!!



Nominate your volunteer today at https://www.volunteergrandeprairie.com/tim-hortons-volunteers-of-the-week-nomination-form-2/.

SEPTEMBER 2024 VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK

Golden Age Center nominated Lynda Evans

Grande Prairie Family Education Society nominated Charla Savoury

Carrie Hogg with Helping Homeless Restart Society nominated Sandra Baker

Town of Sexsmith FCSS nominated Kelly Sage

Beaverlodge Family & Community Support Services nominated Cassie Visser

OCTOBER 2024 VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK

Grande Prairie Ski Patrol Association nominated Wayne Mayell

Alberta Genealogical Society, Grande Prairie & District Branch nominated:

• Al Bromling
• Jay Sydoruk
• Joan Bowman
• Brenda Henning
• Gail Schau

Pregnancy Care Centre nominated:

• Tanya Swanberg
• Carole Belec
• Adyne Bell
• Filomena Janzen

Kendra Smith with South Peace Rural Community Learning nominated Trish Fair

Volunteers of the Week receive a $5 Gift Card & Travel Mug from Tim Hortons! They are also entered into our Volunteer of the Month Draw!

Our Media Room is now open for rent. For more information and rates contact us at admin@volunteergrandeprairie.com.

All Volunteers of the Week nominees (excluding those nominated by the Association) are entered into the Volunteer of the Month Draw.



Volunteers of the Month receive a $100 Tim Hortons gift card and are featured on our website and newsletters!

SEPTEMBER 2024 Volunteer of the Month

The Winner of September’s Volunteer of the Month draw is Kelly Sage!

Kelly was nominated for Volunteers of the Week by The Town of Sexsmith FCSS, they wrote ‘Kelly Sage is a person you will see helping out in so many places, and she is always positive. The students and staff at Sexsmith St. Mary’s School are lucky to have her. Kelly dedicates a lot of time to the St. Mary’s lunch program; she has helped organize and coach St. Mary’s after school developmental sports programs for atomic volleyball and basketball. This year Kelly has stepped up to be the head volunteer coach for volleyball this year. Kelly also volunteers for the afterschool literacy support. Kelly, has participated in several community and highway clean ups. She is a member of the Family and Community Support Services Board and was nominated and received the “Excellence in Education”, recognizing Service Above Self from Rotary 2024.’

Congratulations Kelly!

OCTOBER 2024 Volunteer of the Month

The Winner of October’s Volunteer of the Month draw is Brenda Henning.

Brenda was nominated for Volunteers of the Week by the Alberta Genealogical Society, Grande Prairie & District Branch.

They wrote ‘Brenda is our Branch's membership person and keeps us informed of developments and updates from the Provincial Body. She sits on the Membership Committee with representatives from other branches and help formulate the policies and procedures for attracting and maintaining members across the province. We also appreciate Brenda's volunteering of her time, expertise and assistance locally that helps keep GP & District Branch operating.’

Congratulations Brenda!

The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations would like to thank Tim Hortons for sponsoring our 2024 Volunteer Recognition programs.

Odyssey House’s Christmas Giving Program Adopt-a-Family is back! You can help spread holiday cheer to single parent/guardian families in need of a little extra support. To learn more, visit https://buff.ly/3NGUfW6 or call 780-538-1332.       

The Association acknowledges the homeland of the many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis people whose ancestors have walked this land since time immemorial. I am grateful to work, live and learn on the traditional territory of Treaty 8.

Disclaimer of Liability: This newsletter contains links to third-party service provider websites. Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations is not responsible and assumes no liability for the content or materials available on any linked third-party sites.