Congratulations to the 2010 Capturing Opportunities Award Winners that were announced on Thursday, April 22nd at the Manitoba Hydro Celebration Banquet.  Award winners were presented with trophies and a cheque for $1,000 for a community organization of their choice!

Outstanding Community Leadership Winner, Dorothy Braun, Altona.  Dorothy Braun has earned this award for her work with a number of community groups including Altona and Area Family Resource Centre.  She has been instrumental in other charities and organizations like the Regional Alternative Education Centre, The Healthy Child Coalition, the local food bank and the Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative.  She was the driving force behind bringing Women's Health Day to Altona.  The cash award will be donated to the Altona and Area Family Resource Centre. 

Rural Youth Achievement Award Winner, Zoe Peckover, Homewood.  Zoe has avidly fundraised for the group "Teens Living with Cancer" while battling the disease herself.  Zoe is heavily involved in high school sport in her community and is president of the Carman Collegiate Student Council, yearbook committee member, and Haiti-fundraiser volunteer.  Despite facing personal health challenges, Zoe continues to be an active and positive community leader.  The cash award will be donated to the group Teens Living with Cancer.

Economic Development Innovation (Community) Award Winner, Elkhorn Development Corporation, Elkhorn.  The Elkhorn Development Corporation found a solution for providing affordable housing in Elkhorn by co-ordinating a group of investors and creating a pool of money to provide housing at an affordable interest rate.  The group has built 6 houses in the past year and plans to build another 3 or 4 this summer.  The cash award will be donated to the Elkhorn Elks Community Fund.

Economic Development Innovation Award (Corporate) Winner, Boundary Trail Railway Company, Manitou & area.  The Boundary Trail Railway Company acquired abandoned rail materials from CP Rail to establish the very first producer-owned short-line railway in the Province and runs between Morden and Manitou.  The cash award will be donated to the Manitou and Community Pool. 

Awards Descriptions:

Opportunities Awards Outstanding Community Leadership – for an individual, that has made significant and notable contributions for the betterment of their community or region, who has served as a catalyst for positive action and exhibit the highest standards of community leadership, dedication, ability and innovation.

Rural Youth Achievement – for an individual, association, business or municipality whose activities enable youth to take action on important issues that affect their lives.

Economic Development Innovation (Community) Award – for an organization or municipality whose actions illustrate innovation in community development, build on the resources of the community, respond to challenges and/or opportunities and demonstrate outcomes in rural economic development.

Economic Development Innovation (Corporate) Award - for businesses whose corporate actions fully meet the award’s criteria; to illustrate innovation in community economic development through cooperation with community partners, to build on the resources of the community; to respond to changes, challenges and/or opportunities, and to demonstrate outcomes in rural economic development.