On March 26, Winkler’s Ang Braun, the executive director of Genesis House, was singled out in the crowd during the Winnipeg Jets’ home game against the Colorado Avalanche.
She was selected as a Jets Community Hero for her work with her organization, for which her nominator, Sandi Enns, said she works “tirelessly.”
“[She always wants] the best for those clients that she serves,” she said.
‘She’s just a great person’
As a part of being named a Jets Community Hero, Braun (and Enns as her nominator) received complimentary tickets to the game, a $100 food and beverage voucher, and on-camera recognition during a timeout.
The featured segment also included pictures of Braun’s work in the community on Canada Life Centre’s jumbotron, including her participation in Orange Shirt Day initiatives.
For Enns, who went to the game with Braun, it was a special experience — especially since the latter had never been to an NHL game before.
A photo of Ang Braun at an Orange Shirt event on the jumbotron at the Canada Life Centre on March 26.
Honoured to be selected
As for Braun’s response to being named a Jets Community Hero, she said that when she first received the email notifying her, she didn’t quite believe it.
“I got the e-mail back in January already, and initially I thought, ‘Whatever.’ I actually didn’t even really believe it, and then I had a friend reach out and say, ‘Hey, I nominated you for this award,’” she said.
“I went back to the e-mail, and the woman who was reaching out from the Jets organization’s name was Miranda, and so she was wonderful to work with …. In the end, it was … wonderful.”
Rolling out the red carpet
Braun said that she was “honoured” to have been selected for the accolade, and that from the Jets team to the fans who surrounded her at the game, she was “treated well.”
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She continued that she wasn’t sure she would enjoy an NHL game, but it turned out to be a fun, memorable experience.
Now that she has been named a Jets Community Hero, she hopes to nominate someone else for the honour in the future.
Continuing the work of Genesis House
As for Enns, Braun’s nominator and longtime friend, she would like to see the accolade help Braun continue to impact the community as she has for decades.
“I hope people keep supporting her hard work, and that she can achieve the dreams that she wants for these women and families, so that they can be successful in their new lives. Hopefully getting the word out there some more helps get that done,” she said.
With files from Robyn Wiebe