The Paul Wentzell Community Builder Award is a heartfelt tribute to individuals who make a lasting difference in their communities. Established by Chalmers Foundation, this annual community impact award recognizes selfless dedication, leadership, and service that uplifts the health and well-being of others.
Each year, we honour someone who embodies the spirit of giving and inspires others to take action — helping build a stronger, more compassionate Fredericton and Upper River Valley.
“If we don’t try to give a little, then we can’t get to where we want to be with our hospital
— Debbie Sangster, 2025 Paul Wentzell Community Builder Award Honouree
Paul Wentzell was a passionate community leader whose legacy lives on through this award. From organizing the UCT Poker Tournament and Canada Day festivities to supporting 10 Chalmers Foundation Radiothons, Paul helped raise nearly $1 million for local healthcare.
His tireless commitment to service and community-building continues to inspire us — and we honour that legacy by recognizing others who follow in his footsteps.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their impact? Nominations open in Winter 2027.
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The Paul Wentzell Community Builder Award is presented annually at the Chalmers Foundation Radiothon, a major fundraising event supporting healthcare initiatives across our region.
Debbie Sangster has been fundraising for the Chalmers Foundation for more than 25 years. In May 2025, she reached her goal of raising $275,000 and has already surpassed it — now at an incredible $278,242 as she continues toward $285,000.
Debbie is an extension the Chalmers Foundation and is a proud ambassador of the professional services rendered at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. Her dedication and focus have been remarkable — achieving such an extraordinary fundraising milestone as an individual and speaks volumes about her commitment and passion for helping others.
The inaugural award was presented to Dave Morell, a longtime supporter of the Chalmers Foundation and a tireless advocate for cancer care. Despite his own battle with Stage 4 lung cancer, Dave raised awareness and funds through his book Hit the Switch: One Family’s Journey With Cancer, helping fund 16 new oncology treatment chairs at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital
At the 13th annual Radiothon, the Paul Wentzell Community Builder Award was presented. This year, Chalmers Foundation recognized Colter’s Cause.
Colter’s Cause was created by Colter Wood and his mother, Pam Doak, after he was diagnosed with “Trevor’s Disease” at seven years old. This rare disease meant Colter has been back and forth between health facilities in New Brunswick and the IWK in Halifax.
This challenge instilled a sense of philanthropy in Colter, encouraged and supported by his mother. Since then, they have dedicated their time and energy to fundraising for Chalmers Foundation and the IWK — turning their own lived experience into fuel for change. They know what it means to rely on the care this community makes possible. They’ve chosen to make sure others can rely on it too.
This year, Chalmers Foundation chose to honour another recipient: Sara Holyoke. Sara managed the Delta Hotel here in Fredericton. She was the kind of person who saw her position not as a job title, but as an opportunity, an opportunity to bring people together, to raise awareness, to do something meaningful for her community.
Over the course of her career, Sara made a profound impact by leading community-focused fundraising initiatives, most notably the Delta Fredericton charity golf tournament, which she led for 12 years. Under Sara’s leadership, the tournament has become a signature philanthropic event, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars overall in support of Chalmers Foundation and numerous other non-profit organizations in the community. She did all of this while fighting her own battle with brain cancer.
Sara passed away in January 2026. The impact of her lives in the organizations she supported and the people she helped. The award was accepted by her sister on behalf of Sara.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their impact?
