Task force honours local residents for positive actions

The Swift Current and District Drug Task Force honoured six individuals and businesses for their contributions at their 2014 Recognition Luncheon.

Individual award winners Shann Gowan, Dylan Griffin, Nelson Pompu and Shelby Piechotta were honoured along with the Pioneer Co-op and Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre.

“It’s extremely important to honour the individuals, businesses and organizations that are positive within our community,” Task Force steering committee chair Danielle Pool said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for our Drug Task Force to give back to others and recognize the great work that people are doing within our community.”

Pool said the most noticeable thing about the award recipients was their attitude. They’re all positive people, she said, who encourage local residents to make healthy choices in ways that benefit the community.

“Without the businesses and organization and individuals that we recognize today our community wouldn’t be the way that it is,” she said.

Shann Gowan, who is best know for her involvement with the Windscape Kite Festival, was given the Individual Achievement Award. Nelson Pompu was awarded the EMS award. Pompu and another colleague also presented the task force with a cheque for $2,100.

Both Dylan Griffin and Shelby Piechotta were given a Youth Leadership Award for their work at Swift Current Comprehensive High School.

Finally, the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre was given recognized for it’s community programming, and the Pioneer Co-op was given the Business Leader Award.

“It’s always an honour to be recognized,” Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre executive director Icasiana de Gala said after the ceremony.

“It’s not an individual effort, it’s always a group effort. It feels great to be recognized today,” youth award winner Piechotta said. “I feel it recognizes all of the work that the student council and I have done at the (school) this year.”

In addition to the awards, the task force also gave out some tickets as part of their positive ticket campaign.

The tickets, which were handed out to all winners, can be exchanged for rewards at some local businesses.

Booster photo by Jason Kerr Swift Current EMS representatives Duane Doan and Nelson Pompu are shown with RCMP Const. Jennifer Lepage in showcasing the Swift Current Drug Task Force’s Positive Ticket Campaign along with Youth Leadership Award Winners Dylan Griffin and Shelby...

By Jason Kerr Booster photo Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre Executive Director Icasiana de Gala was presented by Swift Current and District Drug Task Force’s Community Programming Award by Kirstin Rondeau.