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Prince Albert, Sk. – The 40th Terry Fox Award presented by the City of Prince Albert, has been presented to young entrepreneur Reid Lehner. The Terry Fox Award is presented annually to a young Prince Albert resident who emulates the traits and inspiration of Terry Fox.
17 year-old Reid Lehner has autism. Autism is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication.
The autism has resulted in severe anxiety for Reid. He often has 2 or 3 episodes per day that result in him requiring constant supervision and care. He has many days where he cannot leave the family residence because of this anxiety. Reid has been home schooled the past 2 years, as he could not attend school beyond Grade 8, not being able to comprehend the many social and interactive factors.
However, Reid Lehner loves the community of Prince Albert, and, encouraged and supported by his family, started a small not-for-profit business: Reid’s Baskets ‘N Things on September 4, 2020. He creates unique gift baskets for customers. He, with his mother’s assistance, shops for the items in the baskets (candy, coffee, trinkets, etc.) then builds the baskets and has them picked up or delivered. Reid finds great joy in this business, as it allows him the social interaction which he is missing.
These social interactions, which can be brief, are very important as they allow Reid to share a story or a smile with others and can ease his anxiety attacks.
Reid is all about the community of Prince Albert, and most, if not all of the profits from the baskets are given right back to the community by Reid and his family. For Christmas 2020 he created and donated 140 food baskets to the Prince Albert Food Bank and 30 more hampers to the Prince Albert Christmas Dinner.
He also seeks out individuals and families in need and creates baskets for them. He has brightened the day of cancer patients, families that have fallen on hard times and others, that Reid thinks needs cheering up. He also supplies giveaways to many community and sponsor groups like the SPCA and Canadian Cancer Society.
His efforts have been recognized with the city as he was identified as the first Community Change maker featured by CFYB Prince Albert and has received recognition from local businesses for his efforts, entrepreneurship and support.
On Reid’s Baskets ‘N Things Facebook page, Reid and his mother provide videos as a support mechanism for other families that are dealing with autism. They provide real life scenarios of what it is like and offer solutions and encouragement to others.
Reid Lehner, like Terry Fox, is showing courage, perseverance and strength to operate his small business despite his challenges. And his service to the community of Prince Albert is exemplary. He pushes himself to be a role model for others.
The Terry Fox Award and Citation were established by the City of Prince Albert in 1981 to perpetuate the memory of Terry’s heroic achievement, while acknowledging a local recipient with similar ideals. Citizens are invited to nominate people for this award each year. The next call for nominations will go out early in 2022.
Recipients of the City of Prince Albert Terry Fox Award:
1 1981 - Bryan Alexander Souter
2 1982 - Cheryl Lee Ann Thompson
3 1983 - Kevin Ewanchyna
4 1984 - Janine Bristowe
5 1985 - Lee Ann Frenette
6 1986 - Keri-Lynn Robins
7 1987 - Kevin Russel Bird
8 1988 - Kevin Hradecki
9 1989 - Susan Fidyk
10 1990 - Kris Kristoffersen
11 1991 - Kim Wilkinson
12 1992 - Jamee MacDonald
13 1993 - Kama Soles
14 1994 - Kyle Casavant
15 1995 - Tara Nelson
16 1996 - Tyson Neufeld
17 1997 - Tanya Sarginson
18 1998 - Ryan McKinnon
19 1999 - Heather Mitchell
20 2000 - Alicia Amy Mihilewicz
21 2001 - Clinton Gariepy
22 2002 - Donovan Gobeil
23 2003 - Jason Nemish
24 2004 - Jade Elise Smith
25 2005 - Katherine Hayduk
26 2006 – Laura Patricia Hicks
27 2007 – Kevin Sasakamoose
28 2008 – Jordan Herzog
29 2009 – Michael Lyons
30 2010 – Catlin Anderson
31 2011 – Hannah Bell
32 2012 – Tristan Albert
33 2013 – Brittany Hudak
34 2014 – Konnor Shillings / Bailey Oleksyn
35 2015 – Gracie Nelson
36 2016 – Katie Enequist
37 2017/18 – Donovan Fraser
38 2019 – Elayna Greenwood
39 2020 – Chelsea Mitchell
40 2021 – Reid Lehner
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For more information please contact:
Jody Boulet
Director of Community Services
Phone: 306-953-4800
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