Pictured are winners of the third 'Change Your Story' awards. (Image Credit: submitted/Alex Robertson Public Library)

By Susan McNeil

Harold Johnson

Quilting project wins final ‘Change Your Story’ award  

Mar 27, 2026 | 12:10 PM

The top prize of $500 for this year’s ‘Change Your Story’ award was given to Joan Kidd for her Community Stitches project.  

This is the third and final year of the award that was created to honour the late Harold Johnson and his belief in the power of second chapters, community care and personal transformation.  

Kidd created a quilting group that delivered 80 handmade quilts to La Ronge’s new long-term care facility.  

The selection committee from the Alex Robertson Public Library and Pahkisimon Nuyeʔáh Library System (PNLS) was inspired by how the quilting project blended barrier-free skill building, friendship and generosity, while offering warmth and comfort to residents during a huge life transition.  

The project met the committee’s goal of acknowledging small acts of kindness that ripple outward.  

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Kyle Olsen took second place and $400 with his ‘Jamming with Kyle’ homemade jam business.  

Olsen is planning to expand his business and is using the money to buy supplies and marketing materials. His vision reflects personal growth and community benefit because his jams provide a healthy, locally sourced option for customers.  

At the same time, he is building skills in financial management, customer service and long-term planning. He plans to hire helpers for berry picking, which contributes to the local economy.  

Two projects tied for third place, each winning $200.  

Hayleigh Thedorf impressed the committee with her plan to support Elders, people experiencing homelessness, single parents and others by buying meals, clothing and essential supplies. The 11-year-old plans to record the acts of kindness through drawing and reflection and wants to make her classmates part of the project.  

Rylee Boussahmine-Morin tied for third place with her proposal to advance her painting and nail-art practice. Rylee, who is 13, said art brings her calm, confidence, and a healthy outlet for expression.  

Her plan is to use the money to buy more supplies that will help her expand her skills, build confidence and create artistic opportunities for youth with workshops at the library and the La Ronge Arts Council.  

Across all four winning projects, the committee said it saw the values Johnson championed: compassion, community spirit, creativity, resilience, and the courage to create change one story at a time. 

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