UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

Debby Steacy honoured with 2015 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:24:28 +0000

A passion for supporting athletics that began with her own children and grew into tireless support for the entire Pronghorn Athletics program, set Debby Steacy’s volunteer efforts apart. On Thursday, May 28, 2015, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge recognized the late Debby Steacy for her longstanding commitment to promoting Pronghorn athletes by awarding her the 2015 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award.

Pictured here with husband Graham, Debby Steacy, centre, enjoys the Olympic experience.

It was the involvement of her three children — Jim, Sean and Heather — in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge athletics that initially led Debby to join the Pronghorn Booster Club, which raises funds for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ athletics through a variety of programs and initiatives. But her passion for the success of all of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s athletes led her to actively volunteer for more than a decade. During that time, she was vital in helping generate more than $500,000 for Pronghorn Athletics.

One initiative that was particularly close to Debby’s heart was Operation Red Nose, a safe-driving campaign that provides drivers with rides home during the holiday season on a donation basis. She worked tirelessly to expand and strengthen this important fundraiser by overseeing hundreds of volunteers, conducting administrative tasks and, together with her family, coordinating each evening of the operation. The considerable work and time she invested in the program led to more efficient operations, more volunteer participation and greater financial support for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s athletic teams.

Graham Steacy, left, with Horns track coach Larry Steinke, Jim Steacy and Debby Steacy.

For 10 years, Debby also helped facilitate the organization’s annual dinner and auction event by assisting with tasks such as overseeing the participant application process and recruiting volunteers. As well, she was heavily involved with a number of track and field team initiatives. Her organizing skills, attention to detail and cooperative working style were critical assets to the club’s overall operations.

Beyond her involvement with ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Athletics, Debby spent countless hours in her community volunteering for various causes and organizations. She was a director-at-large of the Athletics Alberta board of directors, secretary of the Southern Alberta Track and Field Council, and an Athletics Alberta track and field official. She was extensively involved in local school councils, participated in two Lethbridge School District No. 51 committees and was a classroom volunteer for more than 15 years. Debby was on the board of directors for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, and was a member of the planning committee for Weaving Words: Extending Literature Through the Fine Arts Conference. She was also a Royal Conservatory of Music piano and theory teacher and served as an accompanist for school choirs.

A successful Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) varsity athlete herself, Debby was proud to support the athletic careers of her children, all of who were highly decorated Pronghorn track and field athletes who excelled at the throwing events. Sean was a champion at the CIS level, and Jim and Heather each reached the pinnacle of sport by representing Canada at the Olympic Games in hammer throw – Jim at Beijing (2008) and London (2012), and Heather in London (2012).

Although Debby passed away suddenly last year at the age of 58, her vigorous championing, volunteerism and community spirit have left an enduring impact on Pronghorn Athletics.

Rossiter honoured by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with Volunteer Award

trevor.kenney — Fri, 30 May 2014 17:10:11 +0000

A passion for volunteerism has led Dory Rossiter to continually strive to make a difference in her community, and on Thursday night, Rossiter was recognized at the Chancellor's Dinner with the 2014 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award.

A passion for volunteerism has led Dory Rossiter to continually strive to make a difference in her community.

Active with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate committee for the past six years, Rossiter has participated in every fall and spring convocation over that time, was elected Chair of the Outreach Committee, and was instrumental in developing the Meet Mike events in which President Mike Mahon speaks about the institution with students in rural schools.

She helped create the Retired Senator Inclusion Strategy, whereby past senators can still use their expertise to help promote the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, and she spent eight months producing a video for the U of L, which highlights what it means to be a U of L senator. Her latest challenge was spearheading a U of L Student Food Bank fundraiser in which she and her band performed at a cabaret evening with silent and live celebrity auctions, which raised thousands of dollars to help students. Through the breadth of her activities, Rossiter has boosted the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s profile in Alberta and has made a positive difference in the quality of the institution.

Beyond the U of L, Rossiter is committed to volunteer work in her community. She has volunteered with several organizations in Lethbridge, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the United Way Campaign (which she has chaired), the Interfaith Food Bank, the Schizophrenia Society, Alzheimer Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, Handicapped Riding Association, Humane Society, Epilepsy Association and many more. Other community volunteer work has included acting as the M.C. for the annual St. Michael’s Harvest Moon Ball, the annual Community Foundation Dinner and many other fundraising events. She sits on the Galt Museum and Archives Board, the Multiple Sclerosis Board and over two dozen local committees. Over the years, she has served on twelve local boards, including the YWCA, which has named her as a Woman of Distinction and Volunteer of the Year, for her work to highlight women’s issues. Rossiter also helped plan a joint program between the U of L and Volunteer Lethbridge. This initiative, the Leaders of Tomorrow/U of L Scholarship Program, aims to connect the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to a broad range of volunteer communities.

Several awards have recognized her dedication to reporting on issues important in her community. She has twice received the Media Award for a series on safety for the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, the National Environmental Citizenship Award, from the Minister of The Environment, for stories on environmental issues, the Dr. G.R.A. Rice Memorial Award for Excellence in Media for her reporting on health issues in southern Alberta, the Premier’s Provincial Media Award for reporting on the struggles and successes of those with physical challenges, the International Fire Fighters Media Award, from Washington, D.C., for her video productions on the challenges of Lethbridge fire fighters and the National Media Award from both the Schizophrenia Society and the Kidney Foundation. For her work related to environmental preservation, she won the Alberta Emerald Award, in the Individual Commitment Category.

Rossiter has also received the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in recognition of her outstanding service to her community and she was named Lethbridge Citizen of the Year, for which she received her second Key to the City. She received her first key after being named Canada’s Most Dependable Everyday Hero for volunteerism. She then took the $10,000 prize and donated it to 10 local charities. At the Citizen of the Year celebration, Mayor Dodic joked that she now had a key to the front AND back door of Lethbridge.

Summer Games work earns group Senate Volunteer Award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:35:37 +0000

Thanks to the dedicated volunteer work of these four individuals, for four days in July 2012, more than 2,600 athletes came to Lethbridge to compete in the 2012 Alberta Summer Games.

The Senate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is proud to recognize their service with the 2013 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award.

Nancy Walker, Deb Marek, Cheryl Meheden and Jochen Bocksnick sat on the Board of Directors for the games as well as managing their own specific portfolios. They began preparation for the games more than two years before the event, and each played an important role in organizing the games. The games were a success due to the contributions of these individuals, as well as hundreds of other volunteers, many of whom included ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ employees and students.

Senate Volunteer Award winners (L to R) Jochen Bocksnick, Deb Marek, Cheryl Meheden and Nancy Walker.

Nancy Walker was the director of administration for the games, responsible for managing the budget and brokering all contracts and legal agreements. Walker is currently the U of L's vice-president (finance and administration), and has extensive community volunteer experience.

As director of facilities, Deb Marek ensured that the sports and activities of the games had a venue. She also supervised all signage, portable facilities and warehousing. At the U of L, Marek is a manager in Sport and Recreation Services, and has been the assistant coach to the women's hockey team.

Cheryl Meheden's responsibilities as director of protocol included managing opening ceremonies, official receptions, hospitality, games attire, medals, participant entertainment and the torch relay. Meheden is currently an instructor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, in the Faculty of Management, and at Lethbridge College.

Guided by the Alberta Summer Games' mission to provide the best possible experience for all involved, director of sport Jochen Bocksnick ensured that the games offered the best venues and sport chairs. Bocksnick is an instructor in kinesiology and physical education at the U of L.

The 2012 Alberta Summer Games were a huge success, with over 2,600 athletes participating in 15 sports over the four days, watched by over 7,000 spectators. All four of these volunteers committed hundreds of hours to make this success happen, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment.

This story first appeared in the May 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

Debby Steacy honoured with 2015 ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

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Rossiter honoured by ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ with Volunteer Award

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Summer Games work earns group Senate Volunteer Award

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UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

Debby Steacy honoured with 2015 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Volunteer Award

Rossiter honoured by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ with Volunteer Award