Award Category: Community Award

For over 40 years, Sam Lenarduzzi has contributed to the sport of soccer in British Columbia. First as a player, then as a coach and educator, he has reached more than 28,000 young soccer players throughout the province. His passion is soccer; his drive is contagious and his goal is to bring the benefits and enjoyment of soccer to every community.

Carlene Lewall has given over 30 years of energetic and dedicated leadership to the Delta Gymnastics Society. She is motivated by her strong belief in the importance of youth athletics as a building block for a healthy and successful life. Carlene was instrumental in the development and building of the Delta Sport Development Centre and has participated on the Delta Sports Hall of Fame and Spirit of Delta committees.

Alice Maitland has served the Village of Hazelton as an elected official in capacities from councillor to regional district director to mayor, a position she has held for 34 years. Her influence spans all aspects of life in the area including adult education and the development of Hazelton as a unique community showcasing First Nations’ culture and pioneer history. Alice has been a constant stabilizing force in her community and a strong voice for small, rural northern communities.

From developing and delivering historical walking tours of downtown Nanaimo to heading a team that catalogued and repaired the large collection of Nanaimo Museum textiles, Pamela Mar is dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of her region. Pamela has also volunteered with the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Auxiliary for over forty years.

Jim Milina is a national ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Wheels in Motion event leader in the Comox Valley. Jim demonstrates every day his courage to move on after a life-changing injury and in so doing inspires others through motivational speeches and presentations to schools. Jim was the first quadriplegic to ascend Mt. Kilimanjaro, where he set a world altitude record.

John Murphy has been an active community volunteer for as long as Vanderhoof residents can remember. Contributing his knowledge, skills and enthusiasm, he is a 15-year volunteer firefighter, a community and recreation fund raiser who led the effort to build a much-needed thirty-three unit seniors’ residence and activity centre.

John O’Fee’s contributions to Kamloops and the Thompson Region are extensive. A school board chairperson, a director of the Kamloops Symphony Society, the Kamloops Parks and Recreation Commission and Venture Kamloops, John also served on city council for more than 11 years. He is president of the Thompson Rivers University Foundation and past president of the Kamloops Airport Society.

A visual arts teacher and youth arts advocate in Surrey, Marc Pelech has created innovative programs to enhance his students’ experience of art. As a community volunteer, he has dedicated over 17,000 hours to civic arts policy and civic youth-focused arts programs (Spirit of Youth Mural Project) and emergent website technology (Youth Visions), which empower youth and instil values of good citizenship.

During his eighteen years as president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Vancouver, Bill Stewart rejuvenated the organization, guiding it to financial stability and significantly increasing its reach and impact. He has left a legacy that includes a successful capital campaign, a strategic plan for growth, and the Tong Louie and Robert Lee YMCAs. Bill Stewart champions healthy living and opportunities for children, youth, adults and seniors.