Award Category: Community Award

Douglas Crow touches the lives of many on Vancouver Island with low or no vision. With his warm, cordial approach and genuine concern for people, he is an outstanding volunteer with the CNIB. A coordinator for the Peer Support Program, he recruits, trains and mentors new peer counselors. As a Peer Mentor himself, he provides one on one support to people who have recently experienced vision loss. As a community advocate and ambassador for the CNIB, Douglas also reaches out to the greater community to encourage understanding of the challenges faced by those with vision loss.

Mary Forbes is very involved in her community. Indeed she is known as the first daughter of Williams Lake. An active member of the Downtown Business Association, Mary is also passionate about sustainability. Whether it’s her retail store, Dandelion Living, or her volunteer efforts as an environmental educator at the Scout Island Nature Centre, her participation in Water Wise or leading interpretive walks, Mary finds ways to bring her spirit and energy to every project. Especially noteworthy is her leadership of the Potato House Project, where she oversaw the restoration of one of the oldest heritage homes in Williams Lake, now a centre for sustainability education.

Jean Gelwicks receives a community award today for the profound impact she has had on Salt Spring Island. With a kind and masterful manner, she leads and works on projects of enduring community value. Jean founded and chairs a community coalition called Partners Creating Pathways, a network of pedestrian and bike trails. She is the founder and heart and soul of the Stewards in Training program, where dozens of volunteer mentors lead elementary school students in nature-focused learning experiences. An active contributor to the Salt Spring Island Conservancy Board and Transition Salt Spring, Jean is a volunteer with a passionate commitment to her community.

We honour Afraj today for outstanding community service during his high school years in British Columbia. He was a role model, connecting his school with the local community through a wide range of charitable events. He was a leader and organizer for clubs, teams and student government and he was deeply respected by students, parents, teachers, and community leaders. Afraj was also an exemplary member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.  With the organization, Advocates for Social and Heritage Awareness, Afraj volunteered over 4000 hours speaking to young people about self-motivation and taking stands for positive change. A third year student at Queens University School of Business, Afraj Gill continues to excel and to inspire.

Through her consulting company Naturally Autistic ANCA, Leonora has given autism a voice in British Columbia. She has created unique programs and an annual awards’ event and festival that showcases collaborations with the mainstream and autistic communities.

Kathy Holmes is known as a tower of strength in Ladysmith for her volunteer support of the community, the arts and business. As president of the Ladysmith Waterfront Arts Centre Gallery, she has helped the Gallery achieve greater recognition and community support and she also works with the local Arts Council. Kathy is dedicated to the initiatives of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce including its events Oktoberfest, Spirit Awards and the annual Ladysmith Market. She inspires others to help on community events such as Arts on the Avenue, Paddle Fest and Ladysmith Days, to name a few. Kathy makes things happen and always places her community ahead of herself.

For over forty years, Maggie and Kelly Ip have made multiculturalism, citizenship, education and volunteerism their priorities. Assisting newcomers, celebrating community milestones, taking care of seniors, raising money for social services and promoting Canadian identity are just some of the ways that Maggie and Kelly have influenced our Province. They have both contributed to SUCCESS, one of the largest social service agencies in British Columbia. Maggie was the founder and first chair of SUCCESS in 1973 and Kelly was Vice-Chair and Board member. Maggie was also the founding chair of the BC Heritage Languages Association and served as a Vancouver City Councillor. Kelly is a former President of the Canadian Club of Vancouver and has served on the TELUS Vancouver Community Board, Vancouver Chinatown Millennium Society, BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors and the Canadian Association of Asian Arts.

As a leader in the Chinese community in the Lower Mainland, Mike Jang demonstrates everyday his belief in the importance of service and charity and building bridges between cultural groups. He has chaired major Chinese organizations – the Shon Yee Benevolent Association, the Chinese Cultural Centre and the Chinese Benevolent Association. He is an advocate for preserving Vancouver’s Chinatown as a national historic site and also initiated and developed a 72 unit seniors housing project in Strathcona. Mike has been involved in the annual Chinatown Spring Parade, and the Chinatown Arts and Cultural Festival.

Ingrid Jeffrey is honoured today for her work with children affected by all types of physical, mental health and educational special needs. Building on the foundation of the Variety Learning Centre that she helped found in 1991, Ingrid established the Mediated Learning Academy, a school that serves special needs’ children. As Director of the Academy, Ingrid has created a caring place for children to thrive and to reach their maximum potential. Every day, Ingrid makes every one of her students know how they can make a difference in the world. Ingrid is an inspiring, compassionate and dedicated educator.