Health-care starts at home.
Blair and Bev Gordon were selected the 24th recipients of the Clifford and Louise Lougheed Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions by an individual or organization in support of the High River and District Health Care Foundation.
“The (High River) hospital has been there for as long as I remember and Bev worked there and (daughter) Trisha (Metcalfe) is the pharmacy manager now— it’s been a special place for us over the years,” said Blair, who owns the Century 21 Foothills in Okotoks and High River.
“As a family, we have had trips to the emergency room – we have had our share of care and attention there for sure.”
The foundation raises funds for health care in the High River area as well as for Foothills County.
And the Gordons have been there throughout the foundation's history.
“The foundation is so grateful to have their (the Gordons’) support,” said Michael Brown, the foundation executive director in a press release. “Through Century 21 Foothills, they have been long-time sponsors of our dinner and auction.
“They were first in line last fall to sponsor the drive-in concert and have been stalwart supporters of our COVID-19 Community Response Campaign and our Operation Health-care Heroes. We can’t thank them enough.”
The name of the Lougheed award recipient is a tighter secret than the Oscar winners – typically not announced until the evening of the foundation’s annual sold-out gala, which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
So the foundation played on the Gordons’ generosity to spring the award on them.
“They asked if we could have a meeting at our office to go over the gala for the upcoming year and we have always been part of that process,” Blair said with a chuckle. “They were here yesterday (Jan. 28) and I came out to the back room and they had this presentation all set up.
“It was quite a surprise – a real honour.”
The Lougheed award was presented to the Gordons by Brown, Cathy Couey, foundation fundraising/communication co-ordinator; and board member Aaron Mouser, who is also a real estate associate at Century 21 Foothills.
The Gordons were joined by their daughters Tricia and Tiffany. Tiffany was the MC at the foundation’s George Canyon concert fundraiser at the Sunset Drive in High River in the fall.
It’s an award that looks at the human-side of those who help the foundation.
Past recipients of the award include the Longview 4-H Beef Club for its annual steer auction with proceeds going to he foundation, the late Karl Riehs from the Cayley area, who as well as helping the foundation with donations read to patients at the hospital and others.
“The award is not that flashy thing – it is something that caught us by surprise,” Blair said. “It’s not your aspiration to say ‘hey, I am going to win this award next year.
“It’s not something you expect.”
Blair is a long-time resident of High River, moving there the year he was born. His father, Stan, was a former mayor and the family operated the Gordons Solo food market.
A couple of the store’s customers were Clifford and Louise Lougheed.
“My mom was saying yesterday (Jan. 28) that she remembers them coming into the store,” he said. “That goes back to the 1950s to the 70s.”
Clifford and Louise Lougheed were long-time residents of the Nanton area. Their bequest to the foundation enabled it to establish a permanent endowment Fund which is the backbone of it’s long-term financial viability.
Blair stressed the associates at both Okotoks and High River offices have been major contributors over the years.
He said the efforts of the foundation, health-care employees and the community are especially important during these difficult times.
“To be able to raise awareness in these times and the need at this time – especially in the area of wellness,” Blair said. “It’s just so important that people pay attention and support all these things.
“There is a lot of need out there.”
