Award Category: Community Award

Tanveer Gill, a first-year student in Nursing at UBC Okanagan, is committed to community activism and social justice. From founding diversity clubs to coaching to mentoring students to supporting worldwide initiatives addressing hunger and poverty, Tanveer is a positive role model for youth in British Columbia.

For over fifty years, Sheila Gilmour has significantly contributed to her North Vancouver community. She was a founding member of the North Shore Community Foundation and the Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Sheila was also instrumental in the establishment of the forerunner to the North Shore Disability Resource Centre and volunteered with the Capilano Community Services Society where she was the first co-ordinator.

Chris Grauer dedicates his services to the community through several organizations in the Okanagan Valley. For eighteen years, he has volunteered at the Penticton Soupateria where as a cook and purchaser he is part of the team that provides hot lunches to over 100 clients daily. At Criteraid, an animal sanctuary, Chris is a member of the board and an active volunteer.

Judy Hagen has demonstrated an outstanding volunteer spirit and commitment to her community of Quadra Island and the north coast of Vancouver Island. Judy is emergency social services director and supporter of the Speed Watch program, the Quadra Island Volunteer Fire Department, the Quadra Island Tourist Information Centre for the Old Age Pensioners and the Chamber of Commerce, and also presents dog safety programs in local schools and around the community.

Paul Helpard has made a critical impact in his community by championing programs for developmentally disabled children. He has sponsored an annual golf tournament, raising more than $200,000 for the Comox Valley Child Development Association. Further, Paul and his wife Christine have brought to the Comox Valley ‘Lose the Training Wheel’, a program that teaches children with special needs to ride a bicycle, thereby gaining their self-assurance and self-reliance.

Brian Hutchinson, a Vancouver fire fighter contributes to the community on a provincial, national and international scale. He is an active volunteer with Muscular Dystrophy Canada having served in many capacities. Brian co-founded Engines for El Salvador, which later became Fire Fighters Without Borders Canada, providing decommissioned firefighting equipment and apparatus to needy fire departments around the world.

John Jennings demonstrates an unwavering commitment to British Columbia health care. He served for eight years on the board of the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, including two years as chair, raising funds to enhance the delivery of patient care. He is currently chair of the BC Cancer Foundation, where he supports its fundraising efforts on behalf of the BC Cancer Agency.

A member of the Squamish First Nation, Tewanee Joseph is an extraordinary leader. His work as a councillor supported positive development and change in his community. As CEO of the Four Host First Nations Secretariat, he focused a tremendous spotlight on B.C.’s and Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Darlene Kalawsky is dedicated to making her community a better place to live. Included in her many contributions are her involvement in projects for the Castlegar & District Public Library and initiatives of the Castlegar Arts Council. She is chair of the Communities in Bloom program and serves on the board of governors of Selkirk College.

Kalliana King is a remarkable young girl who has a special inner desire to help others. Inspired by a young friend with Muscular Dystrophy two years ago, at age eight, she began a fundraising project. She sought pledges from family, friends, teachers and teammates, dyed her hair pink and then shaved it all off. Kalliana has singlehandedly raised $14,600 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.