Regional Awards

2011 PDD Northwest Region Spring Celebration and Awards Night Winners
October 20, 2010 - 2010 PDD Provincial Community Leadership Awards Celebration
September 27, 2010 - 'Community ambassador' celebrates long service

2010 PDD Provincial Community Leadership Awards Celebration
October 20, 2010 - Edmonton

Community Citizenship Award – recognizes a community member, business or organization that has shown leadership in supporting adults with developmental disabilities to be involved in the community.

Winner: Disabled Transportation Society – Grande Prairie

Picture left to right = Hon. Mary Anne Jablonski (Minister of Seniors & Community Supports), Marion Cook, Marion Biron (Disabled Transportation Society), Jane Manning (PDD NW Board Member)

Originally, Grande Prairie had a special transportation system that was only available to the elderly and those with physical disabilities. Seeing a gap in supports to citizens with developmental disabilities, Marion Cook, Marion Biron, and the late John Minue worked to coordinate more inclusive transportation specifically for clients of Signature Support Services, a Grande Prairie organization that supports persons with developmental disabilities. Through the work of these three individuals, the Disabled Transportation Society has been able to support the residential clients of Signature Support Services with their transportation needs, such as attending work, day programs, and community functions. The Society has worked to include persons with developmental disabilities and allow them the dignity to improve the quality of their lives. This organization has gone above and beyond, even extending regular service hours to ensure that persons with developmental disabilities are able to access the services and supports they require to help them live their lives to the fullest.

'Community ambassador' celebrates long service
MICHAEL SUTHERLAND-SHAW, HERALD-TRIBUNE STAFF
GPDH - Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune
September 27, 2010

Known by many as an ambassador for the city Grande Prairie, Doug Edey, 44, can now put another achievement on his wall of fame, 20 years of service with Freson Bros. IGA.

"Boy, it's exciting, fantastic. This is the longest job I've ever had," said Edey who has enjoyed his time with the company.

On Saturday, Edey was honoured with free cake and coffee at the Northside supermarket for all of his friends and family who have supported him during his time with the company.

"We wanted to celebrate Dougie's 20 years with us. He does a great job here, everyone in the town knows him, we're just celebrating," said store manager Cam Bowman who has worked with Edey for the last three years.

Edey who can usually be found leading the cheers at the local Storm junior hockey games, has also been an integral part of the community's role in assimilating persons with developmental disabilities into the workforce.

He adds that he's only reached half of his goal for helping people with special needs.

"Maybe I can make a book and help people with special needs to get into the regular workplace," said Edey.

In addition to the coffee and cake offered at the IGA on Saturday, the store was donating $1 to the Special Olympics for every filled Smart Shopper card brought into both the Northside and Southview operations.

"That's something Dougie's involved in and he feels strongly about, and we want to help support things that he's into," said Bowman who is happy to be involved in programs supporting persons with disabilities.

Bowman explains that at Freson Bros., "We're all big family here and we all enjoy working here, and its great to have long-term employees."

Edey's favourite part of working at IGA is meeting the people of Grande Prairie whom he was excited to spend time with on Saturday

Edey said if he's wanted, he could potentially stay with the company for another 20 years.