After 16,909 moms nominated, the 8 finalists for the Walmart Mom of the Year awards have been determined. With all the amazing stories, it was no doubt an incredibly difficult job to narrow the field down to only 8 finalists.
My mother is extremely special to not only her children and husband, but to all she encounters. She came from a family of 9 children, and is 3rd youngest. She has a law degree but chose to stay home and raise her two children. After her brother committed suicide, she began reading about bipolar disorder and depression, which is what he suffered from. She saw the lack of support that existed for people living with mental illness, and set out to change it. She started hosting an annual kitchen party at which guests were encouraged to share stories, provide support for one another, and donate to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Her idea spread, gaining more and more guests each year, and blossomed into the annual fundraiser known as Women and Wellness, which promotes open dialogue about mental illness, and is now hosted across the country, with events being held from Halifax to Vancouver. She is a great mother as she has been able to accomplish so much and help so many people.
Alex Miller
Son
Would you be able to attend and raise money for an Autism Canada Speaks Walk, drive your son’s mother-in-law to a cancer treatment, babysit your twin grandsons, help hold down your special needs granddaughter for a blood test, mow the lawn and then bring supper to your daughter’s family? My mom can, and does! These acts of kindness are only some of the things she does to see us happy and healthy.. Even after the sudden death of her husband and mother, all within a year, she continues to give unconditionally. Her positive attitude is one of her best qualities, and shines through on even the darkest of days. She is a caring, dedicated and hardworking role model to many friends and family. When I thank her and kiss her good-bye each day, I hope she knows the joy she brings to all of us. I would not be the mom I am today, if not for all her love and support. My mom is The Mother of the Year to me, my brother, our children and our families.
Jennifer White
daughter
Ma mère a eu 10 enfants, nous somme maintenant 5 filles et 4 gars.. Mon père est décédé depuis trois ans Ils ont vécus 60 ans ensemble. Ma mère a toujours été dévouée pour toute les . petit causes. Elle connait le bénévolat sur le bout de ses doigts. Du petit village d’où je suis née en gaspésie elle fonda la maison des femmes vivant de la violence, elle a servi des repas chauds pour toutes les causes possibles. Elle a reçu une médaille du lieutenant gouverneur pour son dévouement envers sa communauté. Je pourrais vous nommer bien des actes qu.elle a posée mais de toute ce qu’elle a fait c,est de nous avoir donner tout l’amour qu’elle possède et maintenant c’est nous qui le transmettons à nos enfants. Ma mère a 84 ans, elle conduit encore sa voiture, fait encore du bénévolat et s’inquiète toujours pour ses 9 enfants, ses treize petits-enfants et ses sis arriere petits enfants voilà pourquoi c’est la maman la plus extraordinaire.
nadine côté
fille
I would like to nominate my mom Eileen Thiessen. My parents have been foster parents for 46 years. I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers, as well as 2 foster sisters. 5 of us are adopted. There are also 5 grandchildren. With the exception of one brother and I, the kids are all mentally handicapped. The kids are all adults now but that didn’t stop my mom from being a mom. She and my dad bought a house a block down from the family home, and the kids stayed in the family home with full time staff. My mom still goes daily to help feed 2 of my sisters and they all come home for church on Sunday and dinner after. My mom has been coaching Special Olympics for the past 15 years. She’s now the head coach of Team Manitoba’s track and field team. My mother is the epitome of what a mother and grandmother should be. She’s the walking embodiment of a Christian woman. She’s been putting others first my entire life and she needs to be first for once.
Carol Thiessen
daughter
My mom is the most incredible and compassionate person and amazing mom. Her caring spirit shines through all her kind acts, but where she really shines is as our Mom. Both my brother and I have special needs and my mom works so hard to make our lives better like homeschooling my brother to help him and helping me start a business that raises money for cancer. Thanks to her I’m now in the top of my class in college. She volunteers at many organizations including a program called No One Dies Alone after my aunt and grandpa died. Selflessly mom donated one of her kidneys to my Aunt that allowed her to have 7 years with her kids. Mom helps our community on her own doing things like saving wetlands. Her heart’s enormous and she is unique in her capacity to care for others and her devotion to us. She never asks for any recognition and most people don’t realize how much she does. She has a way of making the impossible, possible and without her I’m afraid of where I might be. She is my hero!
Zak Whitford
son
Tammy has opened her home and heart to more than 30 foster children over the years. She has adopted 2 children from China and is raising 2 biological children as well. She’s relentless in the pursuit of a meaningful life for her children and any children she comes in contact with. Her home and yard is never closed to the neighborhood children. She started an adoption coalition, an adoption website, an organization that helped raise money for playgrounds in Chinese orphanages, is the treasurer for a Canadian group helping poor children get an education and healthy meal everyday in Dominican Republic. She never stops for a second to smell her own roses. She works part time in a supermarket, has her own sign business that promotes family and love. She devotes some time to the local food kitchen to help the needy. She constantly gets her children involved in community/giving to foster the same in them. I cannot say enough good about this mom…when most people stop and relax, she does not.
Chris MacKinnon
Husband
Katie Schulz is dedicated to making her daughter’s life a long and happy one. In 2009 Katie gave birth to Sophia, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. Katie has since dedicated herself to both her daughter’s care and to the fight against CF. Katie provides Sophia with 2 hours of daily chest physiotherapy to clear the thick mucus in her lungs. She teaches Sophia to take over 20 pills a day to digest her food. Katie has become a champion for raising awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada and was elected President for the Kitchener-Waterloo chapter. Her tireless efforts have helped to make the Great Strides fundraising walk in KW one of the most successful in Canada. Her team has raised over $95k and was ranked 3rd for most money raised in 2012. Katie has written a children’s book about Sophia and CF, which is now available at libraries across Ontario. Katie is an inspiration and a true role model.
Jason Schulz
Husband
She was diagnosed in September 2004 with Multiple Myeloma,an incurable cancer of the plasma cells and was given a prognosis of 3-5 years.She underwent a stem cell transplant,several chemotherapy and radiation treatments.She never complains,just keeps fighting.She co-founded the Southern Alberta Myeloma Patient Society,which has raised over $150,000 for research and advocates for drug coverage, was chosen in the top 50 volunteers from over 2000 nominations for Champions of Change,she counsels newly diagnosed myeloma patients all over Canada,speaks to student nurses about living with an incurable disease,organizes charity events and conferences,all the while being on treatments that extend her life but take their toll.She always see the positives,and inspires me to be a better person,to think of others,to fight for what is right and to keep going no matter how tired or how defeated you might feel,how to persevere against all odds! She is a champion for others! I am very proud of her.
Shona Evans
daughter
These 8 stories are inspiring and definitely deserve support. So please go leave some support by way of a comment on their pages. You can click on their name above and you will be brought right to their page on the Walmart Mom of the Year website.
You can also meet the other 16,901 moms that have amazing and inspiring stories of their own. Visit the Walmart – Meet the Mom’s page for all their touching stories.
Which story moves you the most? It is very hard to decide. So many amazing mom’s and women. I love that the nominations came from all types of family members, be it children to husbands. Way to go moms.
This is the inaugural year of the Walmart Mom of the Year campaign, so look out for it to be back in 2013, open for new nominations!
To stay tuned to all the Walmart Canada news including the Mom of the Year results, remember to Like Walmart Canada on Facebook.
I am so happy for all the mom’s who were nominated and excited for the 8 finalists, who get to donate $10,000 to a charity of their choice. That can go a long way to help make a difference.
At the end of September, a gala will be held to announce the Mom of the Year, who will receive $100,000 for her charity! Who do you think will be the winner?
Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own. Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [www.momoftheyear.ca].