In late 2010, the City developed the Volunteer Organization of the Year award to recognize volunteer organizations or foundations in Grande Prairie that have provided outstanding contributions to the community through meritorious service, voluntary contributions and exemplary community development having a direct, positive effect on residents of the City of Grande Prairie. City Council then approved naming the award after Mr. Bill Bowes.
Criteria:
- All nominees should be distinguished with notable achievements or contributions to the community. This could include fundraising, volunteering, recognition of community needs, etc..
- Nominees must be located within the City of Grande Prairie.
- One organization will be honoured each year.
Making a Nomination:
- May be made by the public at large or an organization within the community
- Nomination form must be completed and include a statement of the nominees' achievements
- Submit as an attachment to the Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations at info@volunteergp.com
Nomination Form:
Complete a nomination form here.
Nomination Deadline:
Nomination deadline is: October 18, 2024
The Award
- The Award shall consist of a plaque presented by the Mayor at the City of Grande Prairie Corporate Volunteer Recognition Event held each year.
- Name(s) of the winner(s) of this award will be inscribed annually on a large plaque installed in City Hall which will include the name and year of presentation of all those receiving the award throughout the years.
Past Recipients
Previous award winners have included:
- 2023 - Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
- 2021 - The Salvation Army
- 2020 - Stitch Club of Grande Prairie
- 2018 - Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue
- 2017 - Technical Search and Rescue Association
- 2016 - Grande Prairie Ski Patrol
- 2015 - AMA School Safety Patrol
- 2012 - Rotary Club of Grande Prairie
- 2011 - Grande Prairie Firefighters Charitable Foundation
About Bill Bowes
Bill Bowes was a highly successful business leader for the City of Grande Prairie. His business career began when Bill and his brothers formed what was then a modest publishing chain, known as Bowes Publishing Chain, in the late 1940s. It was the purchase of the Grande Prairie Herald Tribune, back in 1950, that took Bill and his brothers all the way out west to Northern Alberta to help jumpstart their career. This proved to be the first step towards a very successful journey that would lead Bill to become a prominent business leader and a key figure in the growth and development of the growing business community.
The energy and enthusiasm Bill devoted to his businesses over the years emulated that of the commitment and generosity he invested in service clubs and organizations, as he was dedicated to doing his part in making Grande Prairie a better place to live for all residents. This ongoing dedication to his community Bill Bowes demonstrated by his service as a longstanding leader with a wide range of Grande Prairie organizations. He worked tirelessly on countless community projects and took particular satisfaction from projects that helped young people pursue their goals while representing their community. Bill also worked to ensure a healthier future for his fellow citizens by acting as a member of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Foundation Board, his service as South Peace chairman for the Provincial First Aid Community Training Program and as a generous donor to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital’s MRI facility.
The exceptional dedication and reliability Bill Bowes demonstrated as a community leader led him to numerous awards recognizing his contributions to his community and, while honoured by such recognition, Bill truly believed that community projects owe their success to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers. Bill’s impressive record of service has positively influenced the strength and reputation of Grande Prairie's vastly growing business community all while fostering a better and stronger quality of life for the citizens of Grande Prairie and the surrounding region.