Community Changemakers Celebrated at the 2026 Passionate Heart Celebration

Joint Media Release – For Immediate Release Friday, February 13, 2026

Community Changemakers Celebrated at the 2026 Passionate Heart Celebration

The 2026 Passionate Heart Celebration recognizes people who make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This year’s nominees are the neighbours, mentors, and front-line teams who turn care into action and strengthen everyday life for the people around them.

The Passionate Heart Celebration recognizes individuals, teams, and organizations whose contributions build connections and improve everyday supports across the Grande Prairie area. The event features one formal award and three recognition categories, providing opportunities to celebrate multiple nominees whose efforts strengthen the community.

2026 Recipients:

·         Passionate Heart Exceptional Individual (Sponsored by Any Time Towing):

o        Shelby Fitzpatrick, Addictions and Mental Health, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre

o        Jaynie Head, Outreach Worker, Grande Prairie Friendship Centre

o        Corporal Gavin Ool, RCMP K Division

o        Imelda Gonzalo, Family Dayhome Educator, Watch Me Grow

o        Joshua Smith, Teacher, Grande Prairie Public School Division

o        Heather Tillapaugh, Community Engagement Coordinator, Centre for Young Parents

o        Amanda Jean, Relations & Events Coordinator, Oliver’s Funeral Home

o        Areeha Shah, Addictions Counsellor, Recovery Alberta (AHS)

o        Kim Wald, Youth Services, Program Manager, Centre for Young Parents

o        Jena Cloutier, Educational Assistant, Grande Praiire Catholic School

o        Jai Lin Mark, Admin Assistant, Library Tech, Educational Assistant and Classroom Supervisor; Grande Prairie Public School

o        Hala Ezzeddine, Board of Governors Student Representative and NWPSA Student Council, Northwestern Polytechnic

·         Passionate Heart Exceptional Team (Sponsored by Aquatera):

o   STBBI Nursing Team—NorthReach

o   Northwest Peace FASD Society

o   Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association

o   City of Grande Prairie Mobile Outreach Team

o   Recovery Alberta Health Care Team—Street Connect

o   Mission Thrift Store Team

o   YMCA Northern Alberta—Grande Prairie Team

o   Alberta Northwest Pallative Care Society

o   Sunrise House - Program Manager Team

·         Passionate Heart Exceptional Business:

o   Petals & Posies Flower Co.

o   Ark Dance Academy

o   Jake’s Lawn Care

o   Aztec Engineering

o   Beaverlodge Home Building Centre

o   CatWauk Compression Ltd.

·         Chris Henderson Lifetime Service Award (Sponsored by Aztec Engineering):

o   Michael Leroux, Psychologist, Catholic Family Services

“The Passionate Heart Celebration reflects the strength of our region and the people who care deeply about one another,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. “These recipients remind us that community is built through everyday acts of compassion that support people across the Grande Prairie area.”

“Much of our success as a region comes from strong partnerships and a shared commitment to community wellness," says County of Grande Prairie Reeve Amanda McDonald. “Passionate Heart honours this year’s recipients for the meaningful contributions they make every day, strengthening our communities through their compassion, dedication, and care.”

The Passionate Heart celebration is hosted Family Community Support Services (FCSS) in the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, and the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and Wembley.

To learn more about the annual Passionate Heart Celebration, please visit www.cityofgp.com/passionateheart or www.countygp.ab.ca/passionateheart 

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Media Contacts:
Melodie McCracken                                                             
Director, Family and Community Support Services
County of Grande Prairie                       
780-567-5584                                                              

Kailey Hartman
Communication Strategist
City of Grande Prairie
communications@cityofgp.com

For photos from our event, visit our newsroom.