Award Year: 2013

For fifteen years, Libby was Mayor of the Village of Fruitvale, serving with a strong vision and a strong voice. She made a difference. Libby effectively guided the village through challenges, growth and development. She saw the value in regionalism and was instrumental in the Lower Columbia Community Development Team and the Board of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. Libby was a trustee of School District 20, and served on the Columbia Youth Development Committee and the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Board. Libby is also known in her community for her support of families, youth and women in the workplace.

In 1989, Janet Renquist arrived in Prince George as a refugee from her war torn homeland of Uganda. With her infectious optimism and caring personality, Janet and her family made the huge adjustments to life in a new and different community and culture. And since that time, she has vigorously given back to her community. She is an active volunteer with Immigrant & Multicultural Services of Prince George where she is a source of inspiration for newcomers, immigrants and refugee families. Through the African Heritage Society and other groups, Janet is recognized throughout the community for promoting cross-cultural understanding, racial harmony and social justice.

Sherri Robinson ensures that the history and heritage of the Township of Esquimalt is part of its future. Sherri has devoted over 42,000 volunteer hours over the past forty years. In 1983, she was instrumental in establishing the municipality’s archives, chronicling the rich history of the township. Chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee, she has written historical books about the region, devised walking and driving tours, championed the municipal heritage list, helped to write the Heritage Management Plan, and showcased the historical significance of people and places of Esquimalt. Sherri is truly a valued member of her community and the source of all heritage knowledge.

Aminollah Sabzevari is honoured today for the contributions he made to life at the University of British Columbia during his student years as an undergraduate and later at law school and for his contributions to his community of North Vancouver. He was constantly involved at UBC from tutoring to resident advisor, to initiating sport clubs to peer support for law students and mentor for international students. In North Vancouver, he volunteered for many organizations including the Harvest Project and the North Vancouver Recreation Commission. Furthering his studies today at the University of Alberta, Amin continues his personal belief of contributing to the community.

Don Shumka has given decades of service to his community as a leader, philanthropist and community builder. An astute business person, he has volunteered his wise counsel to many non-profit organizations. With a special interest in arts and culture, he steered Ballet BC through pivotal times in the nineties laying a solid base for the thriving company it is today. He chaired the BC Arts Council from 2002 to 2009 where he guided the distribution of close to $100 million to thousands of provincial arts organizations. Today, he chairs the Emily Carr University of Art and Design Foundation. He is a ‘difference-maker’ and we honour his passionate contributions.

Karen Stacey has taken a tragic event and turned it into something extremely positive for the benefit of liver transplant recipients. She was diagnosed with Hepatitis C after receiving a blood transfusion in the 1970’s. She received a compensation package and what she did with the funds was truly selfless. Karen created the Happy Liver Society and purchased an apartment close to the Vancouver General Hospital to house out-of-town patients receiving liver transplants. Karen is a tireless fundraiser and awareness raiser for Hep C and liver transplants through everything from hot dog sales to signing up organ donors at local malls. Karen’s contributions will be felt in perpetuity.

Andrea Thomas Hill has an amazing ability to create real change. Over 20 years ago, in Toronto, she organized the very first Run for the Cure. Now living in Vancouver, Andrea continues to make a difference. She founded and chairs the Cause We Care Foundation through which Andrea established a partnership with the YWCA Metro Vancouver to support safe and affordable housing for single mothers and their children. The YWCA Cause We Care House will open in Strathcona in 2014. Andrea has also served on the Boards of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Vancouver Fireworks Society and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Catherine Van Alstine is a volunteer who goes above and beyond in giving her time, energy and business expertise to her community. She has had a long association with Arts Umbrella, as a board member, chair and fundraiser supporting its mission to inspire kids for life through the arts. Catherine chairs the Women United in Philanthropy, a United Way initiative that focuses on school readiness. For over twenty years, she served on the Board of the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and most recently, Catherine was a key supporter for the launch of the BC Chapter of Breakfast Clubs of Canada. These commitments clearly demonstrate that Catherine is an exemplary community achiever.

Community leader Sing Lim Yeo is an outstanding example of a volunteer who cares deeply for his community. He is a philanthropist and skilled fundraiser, he supports cultural and educational events and he strives to bring cultures together. Among his community involvements, Sing is on the board of the Tapestry Foundation for Healthcare and the SUCCESS Foundation and is vice-chair of the Chinese Cultural Centre and the St. John’s Ambulance Richmond Branch. He also served on the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board and the Chinese New Year Parade and the SUCCESS Walk with the Dragon. Sing is ever present with his enthusiasm, energy, initiatives and leadership.