January 2016
(Fort McMurray) Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude are proud to announce the 8th nominee for the Women of Inspiration series 2015-2016:
Heather Roberts
Heather Roberts has called Fort McMurray her home for more than 30 years. During that time, she has reached out and helped numerous people. Heather is a dedicated volunteer who is selfless in her commitment to helping others. Ms. Roberts is a strong role model to those she works with, and to those she helps.
Heather’s love for children has always been apparent. She used to organize a Christmas party for children and would work with the schools to have them send children who were in need of special attention and help. She would find a venue, schedule Santa and provide gifts for these children. She is an excellent recruiter of volunteers, as her commitment and enthusiasm is infectious.
Heather became a Big Sister and brought one of the children from one of her Christmas parties into the program with her. She soon adopted the entire family, being a positive influence for all of the children and a support for the mom for decades. To this day Heather is in contact with the girls and has extended her warmth and caring to their children.
Heather has impacted so very many lives with her warm smile and determination to help make the lives of others a little easier. Some of the memories that others have of Heather include those of Joanne – who was a young mom new to Fort McMurray. Heather offered to take care of her one month old baby so that Joanne and her husband could go out and shop. Such a small kindness that meant so much to this young couple. Heather would perform random acts of kindness on a daily base. One day while shopping, she noticed a blind lady with her service dog having problems shopping, without a thought Heather helped her out, got her home and then she recruited a group of co-workers to be available whenever this lady needed a ride to shop.
Each Christmas Heather would set up a tree in her office and encourage staff to donate items or money to the SPCA. She would coordinate with the SPCA and would deliver donations to them. Heather organizes an Adopt A Family each Christmas and along with co-workers, family and friends, she makes that family’s Christmas. .Heather generously gives of her time and be it walking the dogs at the SPCA or volunteering her time for the Salvation Army kettle, she wants to help others who are struggling.
Heathers’ kindness has led her to adopt a child in a third world orphanage. She not only supports the child but is instrumental in raising awareness of the orphanages so that other children can be adopted. Ms. Roberts has accomplished a lot all the while she has been battling with diabetes and other related complications. She takes her passion for quilting and makes quilts for new babies or for friends who are sick or in need of comfort. She organizes her friends to make quilt blocks which she puts together for those with life threatening diagnosis.
Heather enjoys her grandchildren and mentors them the same way she has mentored others throughout her life. She is a leader extraordinaire, a positive role model, a mentor, a warm hearted woman who demonstrates that one person can make a positive difference in someone’s life. She is truly a Woman of Inspiration.
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude will honour Heather and 11 other nominees, at the Women of Inspiration Celebration which will take place in June, 2016
The Women of Inspiration is a partnership between Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta and Syncrude, with a goal to recognize women throughout the Wood Buffalo region who inspire others, break new ground or old barriers and help create change. The series also aims to show local girls positive role models who live right here.
To nominate a woman of inspiration, please visit our website at www.girlsincofnorthernalberta.org or contact the Girls Inc. office at 780-790-9236.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Dort-MacLean
Executive Director – Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta
Phone: 780-790-9236
Email: girlsinc@telus.net
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