Top 7 over 70 launches nomination window

Southern Alberta Newspapers Photo by Anna smith. IMPACT OF LOCAL EVENT: Top 7 Over 70 awards founder Jim Gray visits Medicine Hat to congratulate the community on the success of the previous gala at the launch event on Feb. 25.

By Anna Smith
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Both nominations and ticket sales are set to begin for this year’s Top 7 Over 70 awards celebrating the contributions of seniors in the region.

At the launch event on Feb. 25, dignitaries stopped to commemorate the impact of the local event, which has served as a springboard to bring the initiative far beyond where it originated in Calgary. Among visitors was Jim Gray, founder of the project, who praised the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta on their success with the previous gala.

“If you hadn’t put the ball in the basket, then I’m very, very concerned it would not have spread across the country the way it has,” said Gray. “It was absolutely critical that our… program was a success, and it was a great success.”

He says they owe a great deal to Medicine Hat as the first event to be hosted after Calgary and it has been an example to many of the communities which have since expressed interest in hosting their own awards.

Nominations for the region’s top 7 over 70 opened on March 2, and the upcoming Gala will be hosted on Oct. 14 at Medalta. Those who know someone over the age of 70 who has made a significant contribution, be that in agriculture, arts, philanthropy or many other fields are encouraged to submit those nominees up until June 30.

While Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright was unable to attend due to the current legislature session, he sent comment expressing pride in the city and region for their ongoing work, and for the “reminder that these remarkable contributions don’t come with an expiration date.”

“The individuals honoured through this program are proof that passion, purpose and drive don’t slow down after seven if anything, they seem to deepen.”