The Airdrie Food Bank's Lori McRitchie is honoured with a Diamond Jubilee Medal

Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented several local residents with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, October 9, at the Red and White Club in Calgary.

The recipients, as recommended by Wildrose MP Blake Richards, included local heroes from the Airdrie area:

·        Dick Buchanan: The owner and operator of Air Alta Insurance has been one of Airdrie’s most active community members for decades, volunteering with the Lions, Rotary and Shriners as well as the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce.

·        Al Jones: The owner and publisher of Advance Distribution and Here’s The Scoop has been an active volunteer for years, serving the community with a variety of local organizations including the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, Airdrie Air Show and the Airdrie 55+ Games.

·        Sheldon Kennedy: This former NHL hockey player became a spokesman for victims of abuse, carrying his message through Respect Group Inc., a company he co-founded. A volunteer with the International Olympic Committee, he has also volunteered for many community efforts in the Airdrie region, including the Wild Rose Hockey Challenge, raising thousands for charities.

·        Alan Kenyon: A volunteer fire fighter for more than a decade in Crossfield, he is also president of the Lions Club, which has been instrumental in bringing the community together for a number of local projects, and coaches baseball.

·        Alma Kersch: A long-time volunteer in Crossfield, she has been active with the Baptist Church, organized rides for seniors at the Rocky View Lodge and volunteers with the Crossfield Agricultural Society.

·        Master Corporal Travis Lanoway: A veteran who has served in Bosnia and Afghanistan, this paramedic with the City of Calgary has volunteered with the Order of St. John, the Museum of the Regiments and Emergency Medical Services charities.

·        Marilyn Lind: A long time volunteer, she originated Manna House, a servant-hood ministry with Airdrie Alliance Church that serves community in and around Airdrie with an evening of homemade food, live entertainment and connecting.

·        Stephen McPhee: Together with his parents and an army of volunteers, Stephen has helped thousands of people on the fringes of society through the Stephen’s Backpacks Society, which fills backpacks with school supplies, shoes, clothing and toys for those who cannot afford to purchase these items.

·        Lori McRitchie: The executive director of the Airdrie Food Bank has successfully navigated her organization through years rapid population growth since 2006. In addition she chaired Tour de Airdrie raising thousands for victims of family violence.

·        Sergeant Weldon Stacey: This World War II veteran flew in North Africa and the Middle East, safely delivering supplies and VIPs throughout the region as well as patrolling oil pipelines. Following the war he worked on a mink farm with his father for a decade, worked for Air Canada and kept flying as an instructor with the aviation club in Calgary until he was 65.

Richards says he was part of a committee that chose the honourees.

“All of the recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal have provided invaluable service to our community, and I was proud to recommend each of them to the Governor General,” said Richards, “My hope is that their example serves to inspire Canadians, just as Her Majesty has, for years to come.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the Throne. Throughout the year, 60,000 medals are being presented to deserving Canadians who have made significant contributions to their province, territory, region or community, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.