Spirit and Heart Present at

Cosmo Industries

Cosmo Industries recently recognized Al Anderson for a lifetime of leadership and advocacy for persons with disabilities. He was presented with the Howard Stensrud Spirit of Cosmo Award at a breakfast that took place, in his honour, this past November. Not only is Mr. Anderson a fixture on the sporting scene in Saskatoon, but he was also pivotal in developing organizations and facilities for persons with disabilities in the city and province. He was an early president of the organization now known as the Community Living Association Saskatoon (CLASI). Mr. Anderson also served the provincial organization, presently Inclusion Saskatchewan, for many years.

Additionally, Mr. Anderson was a founding member of Elmwood Residences and Cosmo Industries. As a member of the Riversdale Kiwanis Club, he helped launch the RIKI Walkathon, a milliondollar legacy supporting Camp Easter Seal. He later became a founding member of the Saskatchewan Institute for the Prevention of Handicaps, now the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute.

While 328 people attended the fundraising breakfast hosted by Miners Construction, there was also a complementary event held at Cosmo with program participants. Everyone in attendance watched the live streamed event on Youtube while eating and getting their coffee or hot chocolate from Tim Hortons ‘drive-thru’ carts. Information on the Howard Stensrud Spirit of Cosmo Award is available at cosmoindustries.com . We invite anyone to complete a nomination for the 2023 award that will be presented in November of this year. The award is given to a person, group, or business that has enhanced the quality of life for persons with intellectual and related disabilities in Saskatoon and area.

The Heart of Cosmo is a new photo display of program participants at one of our entrances and it has been a big hit with everyone. Seeing familiar faces on the wall creates a sense of community and fosters a feeling of pride and connection to the group. The display helps create a sense of identity and recognition within the group, and it reinforces the idea that everyone is valued and has a place. This, in turn, increases the sense of belonging and ownership, as individuals feel that they are an integral part of the group and that their contributions are valued and appreciated.