Award Year: 2004

Marc Searle has contributed to many worthy organizations from the age of 12. For the past 11 years as a resident of Surrey, Marc has been involved in the South Surrey Community Policing Station, the Skateboard Safety Campaign and many other initiatives to improve community safety. Marc has also volunteered his time to the Surrey Citizenship Court.

Twenty years ago Vera Seydel began working with the non-profit organization, Bread of Life, to provide free hot meals to needy citizens of Port Alberni. With Vera’s leadership this organization has grown to provide food for over 300 people each week and includes a second hand store and hostel facility which opens on May 1.

As vice-president and president of the Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society and scientific advisor to the Museum Foundation, Kevin Sharman helped convert Tumbler Ridge to a thriving hiking and tourism destination.

Barbara Shaw has been involved in many of Cache Creek’s valuable committees, projects and organizations for over 35 years. Among her many efforts, Barbara is head of the Emergency Social Services and sits on the Cache Creek Village Council. For the past 30 years, Barbara has been involved with the Red Cross Loan Cupboard.

Laura Fisher has a long history of community involvement in Cloverdale, where her numerous fundraising projects and events assist her community. The Surrey Firefighters Charitable Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Cloverdale Family Community Christmas Dinner and the Variety Club of BC are just a few of the organizations that benefit from her continual efforts.

At barely 17 years of age Mallory Statham is an accomplished youth leader and mentor in her community of Powell River. Mallory has worked with the ICBC RoadSense Team, the Community Food Bank Drive and the National Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to educate her fellow students and improve her community.

Steve Stewart has given his time and skills to Midway and surrounding regions for close to 30 years. His efforts have influenced sports, recreation, arts, culture and community advocacy. Steve is Chair of the Regional Recreation Board, and the Public Library Board and is Vice-President of the Kettle River Museum Society.

For over 35 years Carol Walmsley has volunteered for many valuable Sparwood organizations including as one of the founders of the Sparwood Food Bank. On the Board of the local Health Co-op, Carol also supports patients and families within the local Hospice and Cancer Society, as well as being a strong contributor to an array of school programs.

Dr. Cowburn has dedicated over 35 years to the isolated community of McBride, often as the only doctor available for patients requiring anything from prescriptions to emergency surgery. A testament to his dedication, Dr. Cowburn even restored a Tiger Moth airplane to use for critical house calls to patients living in remote areas.

Dot Andrews has served her community for over 50 years as an effective, impartial leader. She has been elected to chair municipal organizations such as the Campbell River School Board, Regional Board and General Hospital Board through challenging years of growth and development.