SUNDRE - A Sundre resident has been awarded for her dedicated service to seniors and the Town of Innisfail has been recognized for its age-friendly commitment.
The Minister’s Seniors Service Awards winners were announced Friday.
They honour Albertans who improve the lives of seniors and their communities through outstanding service.
In announcing the awards, Jason Nixon, minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, said he is “continually blown away by the dedication shown to supporting seniors” in Alberta.
“I am so impressed by the quality of nominations we receive for the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards. This year’s recipients demonstrated the spirit of hard work and generosity Albertans are known for. Congratulations to the award recipients and thank you for going above and beyond for seniors.”
This year, there were nine recipients for the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards, while three communities received Age-friendly Alberta Recognition Awards.
The Special Service Award - All-Star Award was bestowed upon Sundre’s Joyce Wicks who among other groups, sits on the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee and in recent years received a New Horizons for Seniors Program grant to introduce a new initiative in 2021 called Sundre Seniors Go Virtual.
The All-Star Award is this year’s special service award category that recognizes those who promote healthy aging through innovative programs or services supporting seniors.
Her advocacy spans to senior’s health, where she tirelessly seeks resources to enhance their well-being, organizes educational programs, and aids in housing arrangements for incoming healthcare professionals and their families, reads a portion of Wicks’ nomination.
At Mountain View Seniors Housing Commission, she organizes excursions to improve seniors’ mental health and get them out into the community.
“As a mentor and leader, Joyce exemplifies integrity, strength, perseverance, and respect, making her a true asset to the Sundre community,” Wicks’ nomination submission concludes.
Fellow Sundre resident Jane Atkins was also nominated for the Minister’s Seniors Service Awards.
The Town of Innisfail received an Age-friendly Alberta Recognition Award.
According to the criteria, the town has prioritized making services more accessible and inclusive for seniors with varying needs and capacities.
