Award Category: Community Award

The health of a community depends on many key elements, but primary is a stable physician base. Marilin States’ knowledge and expertise have made her the very successful physician recruiter for the Creston Valley. As the Town of Creston Mayor says, “Marilin has surpassed expectations in her creativity, adaptability and efficiency with limited resources to attract doctors to the area.” Her success has been achieved through the relationships she has built locally and provincially. Marilin gives generously of her personal time to assist with the ongoing assimilation of new physicians and their families into the community. She is a great ambassador for the Creston Valley and her efforts have resulted in providing her community with stable medical care.

One hundred and two years young this month, Fred Titcomb is honoured today for his 75 years of volunteering in the District of West Vancouver. Of special note is the 35 years that he has volunteered at the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre. He was the first one in the door when the centre opened in 1981 and he has done it all–from chair of the board to decorating committee to food service, to his current role as part of the management and administration team. Fred is there everyday and is responsible for donations, receipts, class lists, fundraising support, proofreading, statistics, etc. Fred has been a great example, emphasizing the rewards of community service. Fred’s signature is his laughter and it is his outlook that inspires us all.

Germayne Vigneault is one of Haida Gwaii’s most dedicated volunteers. He represents the finest in community spirit. A proud member of the Port Clements community, Germayne is involved in any endeavor that needs volunteers. With his unassuming leadership style, Germayne has contributed to many organizations including the Port Clements Community Hall Society, Canada Day 2013, the Historical Society and Museum and the Tourism Committee. He is an active member of the Haida Gwaii Arts Council and promotes the arts for all communities on Haida Gwaii and beyond. Should you find yourself in Ports Clements in June, take Germayne’s class in lantern making. The lanterns are then released in August at the Edge of the World Music Festival.

For more than thirty years, Pat Wahlstrom has enriched her community of Quesnel through her dedication to the arts. First with the Quesnel Art Society and then for 21 years with the Quesnel Art Gallery as its volunteer coordinator, Pat made sure there was a public place for art in her community. She oversaw every aspect of keeping the Art Gallery at the forefront – administration, planning, promotion and fundraising. Pat also mentored and counselled the artists, encouraged their work and then mounted their shows and organized opening festivities. She opened the gift shop and she managed the volunteers who ran it. Pat deserves this recognition for her volunteer work in the arts and culture in Quesnel.

Nineteen years ago, Dr. Miriam Yu retired from an academic career at Memorial University in Newfoundland and settled in Vancouver. Since that time, she had made major contributions in the fields of education, seniors, multiculturalism and philanthropy. President of the Chinese Cultural Centre, Miriam also founded the Centre’s Progress Club for Retirees, enhancing quality of life for the elders of the Chinese community. Miriam established Sage Elder College to promote life-long learning and social interaction and today is its President. She has successfully fundraised through the Tapestry Foundation to provide equipment for Mount Saint Joseph Hospital and is also involved in supporting BC Children’s Hospital, The BC Cancer Foundation, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation and S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

Jeanette Armstrong of the Silks – Okanagan Nation is a visionary educator who has dedicated her life to the culture, language and arts of indigenous peoples. As Founding Director of the En’owkin Centre in Penticton, Jeannette has guided the centre from its beginning as the first Aboriginal accredited creative writing program in Canada to a widely respected interdisciplinary fine arts school with cultural, ecological and leadership programs. Of particular note, is Dr. Armstrong’s promotion and development of traditional language and language teacher training courses at University of Victoria, Nicola Valley Institute and UBC Okanagan. A prolific writer, a visual artist, mentor, professor and leader, Dr. Armstrong is considered one of the great thinkers in the arts and culture of British Columbia.

Pat Blair is a treasured volunteer for the Victoria Operatic Society. As a singer and dancer, Pat made her VOS debut in the production of ShowBoat in 1980 and since that time she has become an indispensible member of the Company. Now, in her ninth decade, she is known as the champion of everything involved in creating a great show. Pat is the Number one ticket seller for the twice-a-year performances at the McPherson Playhouse. Need sets painted? Need a costume fixed? Pat is always the first to volunteer. Simply put, Pat is always positive and generous and without her – the show just simply would not go on.

Every community needs a Helen Boyd, that is, someone who can see solutions to community challenges. As a nurse and counselor, Helen Boyd addressed the health and support issues for the homeless in the Comox Valley. Her unique solution is called “Care-A-Van”… it is an RV outfitted as a clinic that follows a regular route around the region providing confidential and respectful care to those who are without addresses and telephones. The van provides services such as medical and dental care, psychotherapy, pharmacy and optometry, all under the auspices of the Comox Bay Care Society. Helen demonstrates the power of one individual to make her community a better place.

Mel Coulson settled in Quick, a rural community of the Bulkley Valley over thirty years ago. A retired civil engineer, Mel has lent his expertise and leadership to the renovation and preservation of historic buildings such as the Round Lake Hall, the old church building, and Camp Caledonia – all projects that have greatly enhanced the quality of life for residents of his community and are legacies for the future. Mel also brings his quiet determination and tenacity to environmental stewardship and awareness through his work with young people, the Bulkely Valley Naturalists and the Outdoor Recreation Society.