Calgary Stampede’s Western Legacy Awards Honour Community Contributors and Special Relationships
Calgary – On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, the Calgary Stampede’s 14th Western Legacy Awards will recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated western hospitality, integrity, pride of place and commitment to community. Each finalist has shared their time and talent to make a contribution to the community and they are people whose work has Calgary Stampede values at heart.
The Western Legacy Awards are presented in four categories: Youth, Innovation and Sustained Contribution (individual and group), and adjudicators narrowed the nominations to three finalists in the categories. More information on the 2018 finalists can be found below.
This year’s event will include a special presentation of the Chairman’s Award, which will recognize the long-standing relationship between tipi-holding families in Elbow River Camp and the Calgary Stampede. The Chairman’s Award is a distinguished recognition, exemplifying the core values of our organization and has only been presented on three other occasions since the awards began in 2005.
WHAT: 2018 Western Legacy Awards
WHEN: Tuesday, November 20
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Presentation at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Palomino Room, BMO Centre
Stampede Park
2018 Finalists:
Youth: Awarded to a youth, age 18 or under, who has demonstrated a commitment to making a difference and exhibited western values.
Tate Barton has been passionate about helping others and giving back to the community since he was five years old. Originally hoping to raise $100 for the High River Cancer Clinic in memory of his late mother, Barton has raised almost $34,000.
Dexter Ronak is a role model for volunteerism with a compassionate heart for helping the homeless. He has inspired those around him to be more charitable, and with their help, he has reached many of his fundraising goals and has no intention of stopping any time soon.
Kate Stevens is a passionate young musician who cares deeply about the possibilities of youth and music in her community. Her work has encouraged a sense of belonging and the creation of opportunities for youth to showcase and further their musical goals, in turn helping them grow and contribute to the local music scene.
Innovation: Awarded to an individual who has created a single visionary project that reflects our western values.
Tina Guo is committed to her community and has a vision of creating a culture that is sensitive and supportive towards the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and families. Her dedication to this vision led her to start the Students Against Domestic Abuse Association at the University of Calgary, the first student-run organization of its kind in Canada.
Jean-Claude Munyezamu promotes respect, community and team building among multicultural youth groups through the game of soccer. Munyezamu’s journey began at the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, where he showed local youth how to make a soccer ball out of plastic bags.
The Women In Need Society, or WINS, is a leader in social enterprise. This local organization is a social enterprise charity that receives donated products from Calgarians and uses the profit generated from its thrift stores to supply clothing, goods, household-supplies and furniture to women in need in the Calgary area. Executive Director, Director Karen Ramchuck, propels this vision forward.
Sustained Contribution (Individual): Awarded to an individual who has exhibited extraordinary community support over a period of time.
Steve King was inspired when he learned about a program where dogs visited schools to be read to by children. With an open heart and a lot of enthusiasm, King launched the charity ‘Community Therapy Dogs Society’ and its programs Listening Tails and Visiting Tails. Visiting Tails has expanded from visiting seniors homes to visiting patients in hospitals. His charity now has more than 80 volunteers.
J. Murray McCann is dedicated to honouring the veterans of southern Alberta and created the Field of Crosses to do so. The Field of Crosses serves as an important reminder and serves as an opportunity for Calgarians to memorialize and recognize those who fought for our freedom. In its first year, there were 340 crosses and this number continually grows with 3,500 showcased this year.
Russ Sabo is an avid community ambassador, advocate and relationship builder with an incredible gift to bring people together for the common good. Sabo’s work improving cultural and systemic relationships between the Saskatoon Police and First Nations peoples led him to receive the great honour of the presentation of a sacred eagle feather by the Cree First Nation.
Sustained Contribution (Group): Awarded to an organization or group (of three or more) that has exhibited extraordinary community support over time.
Grow Calgary thrives on the simple belief that everyone should have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They provide educational opportunities to youth and low-income families on how to grow and cultivate food and engage people in the community with food production; Grow Calgary has had 15,000 students learn about urban farming.
The Hospice Calgary, Living with Cancer Program Volunteers support adults living with advanced cancer diagnoses and their family caregivers. Whether through therapies, a network of support or a focus on life and legacy, the program and its volunteers help make everyone feel welcome and respected.
The Longview 4-H Beef Club members set an exemplary example of what it means to give back to the community. For the past 11 years, the Club has incorporated a Donation Steer into its programming. The 2018 Donation Steer raised more than $42,000 for the High River District Health Care Foundation.
See more at CalgaryStampede.com