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Norm McLeod Awards
John Goede, 2007 Community Inclusion Leadership Award
Quietly inspiring a community
| When customers at the Marigold Enterprises Rehabilitation Society, in High Prairie, Alberta, come in to pay bills they're greeted with a friendly smile. John Goede, the 2007 winner of the Norm McLeod Leadership Award personifies all that this prestigious award represents. The people of High Prairie have great admiration and respect for John. He inspires others to always strive for the best, to reach out and help those in need, to serve the community in a myriad of ways. Whether he's serving customers at Marigold, volunteering at a bingo, or participating in the Worship Committee at his church, John always gives 100% to the project at hand. |
From holding down two jobs, to chairing a Self Advocacy Group, and liaising on behalf of developmentally disabled individuals, John sets the bar high for everyone in the community. |
Not only does he volunteer to help out on initiatives that benefit the community-at-large, he has founded a self-help group for persons living with developmental disabilities. To help people stand up for themselves . . . this is John's vision for the group; indeed, it's because of this vision that the High Prairie community recognizes him as a truly inspiring individual. Friends and co-workers at Marigold look to John as a man who stands as a beacon of hope for people with developmental disabilities.
Standing up and meeting challenges is the hallmark of John Goede's personal style. Living an independent life, embracing all manner of community programs, and a warm, kind-hearted personality these are the words that immediately come to mind when friends and acquaintances speak of this Leadership Award winner.
From holding down two jobs, to chairing a Self Advocacy Group, and liaising on behalf of developmentally disabled individuals, John sets the bar high for everyone in the community. A firm believer that we all have an obligation to get involved in our communities, he stands out as a fine example of a community leader.
Recently, John spearheaded a fundraising drive for the Advocacy Group; his goal was to raise enough money to send representatives to a relevant conference in Edmonton . At the end of the successful drive, enough money was raised to send three representatives to the conference. Anyone who has ever led a fundraising initiative can certainly appreciate the countless hours of hard work that must be invested into such a project. The success of the drive clearly shows that John was more than up to the task.
Whether it's through his accomplishments, his kindness, or his independence, there's no question, John is a fine, upstanding gentleman. He's a man who inspires others to reach out and lend a helping hand when necessary, or to offer a warm smile and a kind word to those who need it. He's a man who is living a full life in his community, and he's doing everything in his power to improve the quality of life for persons living with developmental disabilities.