Award Category: Community Award

Margaret Lidkea’s contributions to ecological restoration and education are legendary in her Victoria community. For over two decades, she has been one of the most visible proponents of protection and stewardship of Uplands Park in Oak Bay. A committed volunteer, Margaret works with local school boards to develop and deliver outdoor programs and has ensured that several generations of children have grown up with an appreciation and respect for the natural world in which they live.

Retired RCMP Superintendent Jeffrey (Jeff) Lott is a dedicated volunteer leader. As a stem cell courier with the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society Jeff has taken more than 20 trips across the world to pick up stem cells for Vancouver General and BC Children’s hospitals. For 17 years he served as an Honorary Aide De Camp for the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and is an active board member for a number of Nanaimo’s social agencies. Jeff was also the President of the 2014 BC Summer Games in Nanaimo.

Dr. Biju Mathew is a psychiatrist, researcher, and author of the book Super 30 – Changing the World 30 Students at a Time. His determination to help marginalized individuals struggling with mental illness and addiction is reflected in his contributions as Director of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation and President of the BC Psychiatry Association. As founder and president of the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society, Biju has dedicated his philanthropic efforts to highlighting the outstanding contributions made by South Asian immigrants to Canada and to raising awareness about mental health and its impact on communities.

Sandra (Sandy) McPherson’s history of volunteer service includes climate change initiatives, local lending, women in politics and aiding those less fortunate in the community. Prior to moving to the Cowichan Valley, Sandy served two terms as a municipal councillor in the Capital Regional District. As a member of North Cowichan’s Environmental Advisory Committee since 2012, Sandy is a champion for the municipality’s Climate Action and Energy Plan and a mentor for the Cowichan Chapter of Earth Guardians. Sandy acts to build community resilience and is a steadfast community leader.

Sukhmeet Sachal’s achievements reflect his dedication to promoting acceptance and diversity among all students. After graduating from university, he spent six months in Inuvik, NWT volunteering at the local school and tutoring Indigenous students in math and sciences. While there, Sukhmeet developed the program Break the Divide to encourage cross-cultural dialogue between Indigenous youth in the Northwest Territories and BC high school students. An advocate for inclusiveness, gender equality, mental health and survivors of domestic violence, Sukhmeet is a change maker who leads by example.

Lyda Salatian founded the Lower Mainland Green Team (LMGT) in 2011 to engage Canadians in environmental actions within their community and encourage a sense of belonging while raising awareness. When Lyda saw a large young demographic seize the opportunity to be engaged in environmental activities, she was inspired to create the charity Green Teams of Canada and, add a second program – the Greater Victoria Green Team. Thanks to Lyda’s leadership, thousands of Canadians are now actively caring for their local green spaces.

For more than 10 years, Lindy Steele has given her time and energy to the Canadian Cancer Society contributing hundreds of hours to its mission. She has volunteered for numerous and diverse programs with the Society. A retired teacher who has devoted her efforts to helping and supporting others in her community and beyond, Lindy now serves as President of the Auxiliary to University Hospital of Northern BC. A mentor to other volunteers, Lindy continually inspires others with her dedication.

As founder and manager of the Elk Valley Thrift Shop, Katrin Taylor and her volunteer team have raised close to $400,000 dollars for local programs and charities in just five short years. Following a philosophy of recycle, reduce and reuse, almost 70,000 tonnes of textile materials have been diverted from landfill, repurposed or sold thanks to Katrin’s leadership. Her hard work and determination have generated funds that support school programs, scholarships, clubs, food banks, other non-profits in the local community.

Vivian Trethewey is a devoted philanthropist whose generous support of the Abbotsford Regional Hospital, its Cancer Clinic and Hospice has made an enormous impact. A founding donor of the Abbotsford Foundation, along with a recent major gift to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, together exemplify Vivian’s extensive and long-time community engagement. An advocate for Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford Museum Society, Abbotsford Recreation Commission, and the Reach to name a few of her interests, Vivian aspires to ignite the passion for philanthropy in others to ensure the sustainability of a strong community.

A Flying Officer and Flight Instructor in the RCAF during WWII, Arnold Trewhitt is one of Lake Country’s most devoted and inspirational volunteers. During his 94-year residency, Arnold’s contributions include being a School District Trustee, the first Chairman of the Oyama Parent Teacher Association, a Boy Scout and Venture Leader, to name a few of his many activities. A founding member of both the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and Walk Around Lake Country, Arnold continues to be actively involved in both trail development and maintenance groups.