NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2020
Community represented by a strong team of talent and experience
(Olds, AB – May 12, 2020) As the province prepares to ease into a re-opening of activities and business, more good news is announced for five local ladies.
Last week the Red Deer & District Community Foundation announced the nominees for the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards. A total of 48 women will be recognized at the Awards Gala June 13. Among them stands an assembly of sixfrom Olds:
- Carol Johnston in the category of Arts, Culture, and Heritage
- Joy Cavin and Andrea Hawiuk in the Community Building category
- Valerie Norman Organ in the category of Education and Training
- Jody Carrington in the Health and Wellness category
- Raelynn Notley in the Human Services category.
The nomination packages were submitted by representatives from both the Community Lifestyles Committee of the Olds Institute, and Local Women Unite, who is also supported in part by OI.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is uncertain how the local nominees will celebrate.
“Usually the Olds Institute hosts a dinner for the nominees and the committee work groups who submitted the applications, to recognize their accomplishments,” noted Mitch Thomson, Executive Director of the Olds Institute. “The nominating committees will be getting creative with some ideas on how we can celebrate these amazing women, as a community.”
The annual Gala Event will have a very different look for the first time in their 13 year history.
“We had to think outside of the box and create a way to celebrate these incredible women safely,” said Erin Peden, Executive Director of the Red Deer & District Community Foundation. “So on June 13, we are asking everyone to join us for the Virtually All Dressed Up Awards Gala.”
All guests are invited to get dressed up, just as they would any other year for the Women of Excellence Awards Gala for the Zoom Conference. “This is the first time we have the opportunity to share the stories of these women with not just people in one room, but potentially with the entire world,” added Peden.
Details of ticket purchases will be available at www.RDDCF.ca this week.