Direct Energy Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award!

Do you know a volunteer hero or a big difference-maker in your community?

Suggest a nominee

Nominate them for the 7th Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. This year, we’re excited to highlight three of these exceptional difference-makers by donating $5,000 to each winner’s chosen non-profit or charity. Nominations close March 31, 2025.

Volunteer Citizen of the year for 2022 Janet Townsend

Janet Townsend was the 2023 winner of the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. Over the last 20 years, Jan has been an active volunteer with Ralph Connor United Church, Rotary Club of Canmore and the Lions Club of Canmore.

Having witnessed poverty, corruption and hardship faced by the Indigenous Mayan people, Jan founded the Hearts & Hands Foundation, a registered Canadian charity that recruits and brings groups of volunteers to Guatemala to work on special projects that serve the people there. Hearts & Hands has built 60 elementary classrooms, a junior high, and a senior high school. They have helped 926 high school and university students through its scholarship program, “Teach the Teacher.” Hearts & Hands also provides two literacy programs and free medical, dental, and eye clinics for families in need.

Jan’s vision for Hearts & Hands has been to produce new leaders in Guatemala, promote self-reliance in communities, and develop leadership skills in women and girls. Thank you, Jan, for helping thousands of people over the years and for leading by example and encouraging others to join this amazing cause.

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