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Eden Awards are a virtual gala

December 7th, 2021

The Eden Alternative philosophy of care is thriving in Points West Living and Connecting Care communities. At the annual Eden Awards ceremony, seven communities received awards for their compelling Eden stories. Five of the awards went to Points West Living communities.

Slapstick razzle-dazzle

The online ceremony had a touch of slapstick razzle-dazzle, including a few glitzy dresses, one tux, one cowboy hat, a backstage reporter, and CEO Linda Ravel walking the ‘red carpet’ in formal dress, carrying her dog Mookie as her ‘date for the evening’. Retired PWL Stettler GM, Carol Dyck co-hosted the event along with Georg Rath.

Eden in Action

Throughout the year, as care partners recognize Eden in action in their communities, they take a few photos and write up the occasion as an Eden Moment. Those ‘moments’ are collected and reviewed for the Eden Awards.

True stories of resilience

“With thirty [PWL/CC] communities, serving 3500 residents, we had over 160 submissions of fantastic, fun events, and heartwarming stories that made a difference,” Carol said. “These are true stories of resilience through challenging times.” Each community will soon be receiving their copy of the Eden Yearbook, containing all of the Eden Moment submissions.

Points West Living communities took the following five awards:

  • Maintenance & Housekeeping: PWL Heritage House in Vegreville, for working with residents to create personalized chalkboard signs for each suite.
  • Recreation: PWL Stettler, for a story about bringing in a portable campfire so residents could enjoy a summer night with s’mores. This Eden Moment also received the award for Eden Story of the Year, as it recieved the most votes from the judging panel.
  • Wellness: PWL Red Deer, with the story of resident Harold Lehmann who rode around the world on his stationary bike (PWL News story)
  • COVID-Employee Care Partners: PWL Peace River, Christmas Fun (PWL News story Reluctant Santa)
  • COVID-Residents: PWL Lloydminster, Neighbourly Acts of Kindness (PWL News story)

Connecting-Care-operated Meadow Ridge in Medicine Hat won the Culture and Community Engagement award, and 3-Robins in Red Deer won the Hospitality award.

View the 2021 Eden Awards Ceremony on Connecting Care’s YouTube channel.

Photo: The award ceremony took place on December 1, with a handful of folks on set including hosts Georg Rath and Carol Dyck, and many more employee care partners, residents, family members and supporters watching from the CC/PWL communities.

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