As the Rotary Club of St. Albert celebrates its 35th anniversary, it bestowed eight community leaders with the 2025 Community Paul Harris Fellow award.
The Paul Harris Fellow, named for the founder of Rotary, is the highest award Rotary can present to non-Rotarians and is guided by the club motto, “Service above self.”
Six residents received awards recognizing their altruistic contributions during a jovial ceremony with multiple presenters on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Musée Heritage Museum. The museum’s main gallery was packed with more than 75 attendees cheering the honorees.
Helen Agbonison, Lee Eskdale, Nicole Imgrund, Geoff McKay, Ken Shebib and Ireen Slater were presented with a certificate and a pin. Rosanna Fischer and Dr. Richard Plain were also nominated but were unable to attend the event.
About 20 names were submitted by Rotarians, but the selection committee whittled numbers down to eight.
“The committee looked at the work they achieved and the significance of its impact. Was it lasting and ongoing? And we looked at their integrity,” said Darija Slokar, St. Albert Rotary President.
Mayor Cathy Heron launched the evening with a Proclamation for Peace celebrating International Rotary’s 120th anniversary. She stressed the importance of peace even when “we don’t see eye-to-eye,” and encouraged those present to build community and promote peace.
The Paul Harris Fellow recipients are:
• Helen Agbonison, a visionary community bridge builder, who founded the African and African Descendents Association to promote Black culture, history, cuisine, music and dance. Its signature event, Taste of Africa, annually attracts a packed house from across the region.
• Lee Eskdale, founder of the Wilderness Youth Challenge (WYC), has dedicated time and resources to preventing at-risk youth from relapsing into unhealthy habits through individual wilderness experiences. WYC has helped hundreds of youth 12-16 develop better decision-making skills.
“I was shocked when my name was pulled, but I feel invigorated. It made a difference for the program, and I was on top of the world. Thank you,” said Eskdale.
• Nicole Imgrund is a professional counselling therapist and owner of Rivers Edge Counselling in St. Albert. She has served as president of her professional association, assisted youth struggling with mental health and helped establish important provincial counselling standards. As a volunteer community leader, she has run local events on mental health and raised funds for St. Albert Food Bank.
• Constable Geoff McKay has dedicated his work to at-risk youth. One of his biggest projects was taking the lead on the Christmas Kindness Project 2024 where Outreach High School students filled boxes with gifts. The parcels were destined for northern communities in the Yellowknife area and in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.
• Ken Shebib is a local businessman and philanthropist who actively supports families dealing with mental health issues. He also raises funds in support of community mental health awareness. His fundraisers have included Humboldt Broncos, Jenna’s Wish, Dad Bod and Rainmaker Rodeo Pancake Breakfast.
• Although Ireen Slater was the most petite recipient, she is still a force to be reckoned with. Slater has been a lifelong community volunteer and she’s left her imprint on several major organizations. She founded St. Albert One Parent Family Association, was the founding executive director of Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) and was the first chair for St. Albert Seniors Now.
“It was such an honour to receive this award. The Rotary has always been such a great support in everything I’ve been involved in particularly SAIF. Any recognition I take is not for myself, but for the whole organization,” said Slater.
Rosanna Fischer was unable to attend the ceremonies. However she was singled out for her philanthropic efforts as founder of KDM Helping Hands Foundation, an organization which supports school breakfast programs.
Dr. Richard Plain is renowned throughout the city as a former Mayor of St. Albert. He cofounded St. Albert Botanic Park and has been active with St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
Fischer and Plain will receive their award at a later date.
