Award Year: 2012

We are honouring Dr. Andrew Eisen today for his immeasurable contributions in BC to the field of neuromuscular medicine. He established the first ALS Clinic in Western Canada in the early 1980’s at Vancouver General Hospital and was a founding director of the ALS Society of BC over thirty years ago. His unwavering support and consistent guidance of patients, families and caregivers, through the ALS Society has truly had an impact on the quality of life for those in our province who deal with ALS. His legacy in the ALS community is immense. From pioneering research to teaching to training and mentoring the next generation of physicians, technicians and researchers, Dr. Eisen’s positive influence will be felt for years to come.

Progressive individuals like Larry Jorgenson recognize that people and place are intimately linked. For over thirty-three years, Larry’s focus has been the integration of economic, environmental and social development in Bella Bella. Founder and Executive Director of Qqs Project Society, Larry has spearheaded dozens of collaborative partnerships that promote the stewardship of the Heiltsuk traditional territories and empower youth to reconnect with their cultural identity. The Heiltsuk Cabins Project, the Koeye River Valley youth camps and field science internships, the first all-ages community library, the Koeye Café, are examples of Larry’s tremendous legacy. Everyday, Larry brings strength to the Heiltsuk community through his vision and ideas.

Communities depend on business leaders like Debra Hewson to take a significant role in the guidance of the United Way campaign, such an important vehicle for supporting so many community causes. Debra served as Co-Chair of the Lower Mainland’s 2011 United Way Campaign that raised over 30 million dollars. Her community award today is in response to her volunteer efforts for United Way and other community organizations such as Music Fest Vancouver, an annual ten-day summer musical festival. An industry leader as President and CEO of investment firm Odlum Brown, Debra is also recognized for her encouragement of the company’s philanthropic endeavours. Her generosity of time, expertise and leadership is creating a brighter and stronger future for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Werner Heine is Mr. Soccer in the South Cariboo. His accomplishments are legendary – from coach to fundraiser. He believes in the power of sport for its effect on youth’s lifelong good physical health and mental well-being. He led the development of new tournament worthy soccer fields, realizing their importance to the community as a way to host provincial and regional tournaments. He is currently head of a very successful youth refereeing program for the 100 Mile House Soccer Association, has been an organizer of the Terry Fox Run since 2000 and is very involved with the United Way. Werner Heine is an invaluable asset for everything he does for his south Cariboo community.

It is her smiling face, her loving spirit, her compassion and patience that make Anne Hebert stand out as one of the most dedicated volunteers in Trail. For eighteen years, since her retirement from COMINCO at age 65, Anne has volunteered every week at Kate’s Kitchen, a lunch program of Trail’s Salvation Army. They can always count on her to be there … to make the soup and sandwiches, to interact with the clients, to train new volunteers. She is a regular, too, at the care home, Poplar Ridge Pavilion, assisting with birthday celebrations. She makes others feel good, her happy attitude is contagious. Anne continues to do all of this at the young age of 85.

Lorna Gibbs is a vibrant, articulate, passionate leader in bringing about positive change, whether it is for seniors, the local environment, or securing additional park or daycare spaces. Tenacious in her efforts to improve the lives of seniors, she has served as President of South Vancouver Seniors Arts and Cultural Society, Chair of the Seniors of South Van Neighbourhood House and President of Southeast Vancouver Seniors Centre Society. Through the South Vancouver Seniors Council she has been a tireless advocate for a dedicated Seniors Centre for South Vancouver. Lorna tackles every issue with enormous energy and focus, inspiring her peers to get involved. In her own words, Lorna says that her work makes her life worth living and in turn she hopes it enriches others.

Every small community needs a Joyce Fraser with her caring and forward looking attitude. In the early 1970’s, aware of serious gaps in social services in the Princeton area, Joyce helped to create the Princeton & District Community Services Society, where she was administrator for close to thirty years. Joyce initiated programs to support seniors and marginalized citizens with adult day care, transit services, meals on wheels and home support. Of particular note is Joyce’s strong support for persons with developmental disabilities, which included the establishment of a Mini-Chef restaurant as a training centre. She also spearheaded one of the first assisted living complexes in BC. Now retired, Joyce continues to take an active role in community events and issues.

Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack are visionary social thinkers. They are co-founders of PLAN, the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network, a non-profit which has changed the lives of thousands of families who have a loved one with a disability. They responded to the question…”Who will care for our sons and daughters after we are gone?”. Al advocated for solutions to enable BC parents to plan the financial future security for their children most recently spearheading the Registered Disability Savings Plan. Vickie led the development of a family succession plan, a model of personal support networks that would replace the many roles fulfilled by parents while alive. Adopted across Canada and around the world, PLAN and its related organizations Tyze Personal Network and PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship have transformed the lives of thousands of families.

Throughout his school career, David has shown exemplary leadership. He was recognized by the City of Nanaimo with the Junior Citizen of the Year Award for his wide-ranging school and extracurricular activities. Now at the University of British Columbia, he has been elected president of the Coordinated Science Program and has served as a student councillor with the Alma Mater Society. He was instrumental in setting up the UBC chapter of Students Offering Support, a national network of student volunteers. David was Chief Operating Officer of the World Model United Nations conference, held this past March in Vancouver, attended by over 2,000 student delegates. David is an outstanding ambassador for youth in British Columbia.