Award Category: Community Award

Barbara is an outstanding example of someone who has given dedicated service to her community. She helped to revive the District Chamber of Commerce and served as its President. She was the driving force behind the Village of Chase’s Centennial Celebrations, the largest and most successful event ever held in Chase. Barbara’s careful management of this week- long profitable celebration that showcased the area’s history, theatre, arts, music, sports and local First Nation’s culture, has provided a legacy fund for future events. Over the years, Barbara has volunteered with Victim Services, the Fishing Derby, Chase Country Christmas and community thrift shop fundraisers. Barbara Maher is committed to the welfare of the people of Chase.

Sarina dedicates her personal and professional life to making a difference for young people. Sarina runs a drop-in centre for at-risk youth in the Port Coquitlam Recreation complex. She provides constant mentorship and role modeling. She breaks down barriers, persevering through what are often complex situations, to create a safe environment for growth to take place. She volunteers as a director of Tri-City Kidsport committee and has spearheaded a multigenerational dinner program. As well, Sarina has facilitated a program that saw fifty at-risk girls participate in recreational programming. Sarina’s efforts working with youth ensure the well-being of the next generation in her community.

Retiring on April 30, Larry has served the District of West Vancouver for over 35 years, many as Supervisor of Forestry and Trails. Larry is a strong leader and an outstanding citizen. He has gone above and beyond as the steward of the District’s natural environment. From managing the fire suppression crew to educating senior students about the forests, Larry is always ready to help, preserve and enhance. It is urban black bear management in which Larry has been a pioneer in British Columbia. He responds to all bear calls in the district. As well, Larry has shown an instinct and willingness to do the right thing, especially during his commute from Squamish when he has helped many accident victims. Larry always has the best interests of his community at heart.

Ann Meraw is an outstanding community contributor and a role model for active living. It is her mission to spread good health, her ability, her energy and her knowledge to others. The holder of many world-records in marathon swimming, she has volunteered her vast knowledge of water safety, rescue and survival with such organizations as the Vancouver Fire Department and Seniors’ Keep Fit Programs. Ann founded the first Canadian Water Babies Program and was the first woman lifeguard in Canada. Ann has been a member of the Royal Lifesaving Society since 1934. Ann is noteworthy not only for her formidable swimming achievements but also for her ongoing volunteer contributions. As a community policing volunteer, captain of her Block Watch, and the founder of the Maple Ridge Hall of Fame in 1997, her selfless personality makes her stand above the crowd. At 90, Ann continues to give back.

There is no question that Kelowna and indeed the Okanagan is a better place because of Paul Mitchell’s professional and volunteer activities. A lawyer, he has provided leadership as a President, Trustee, Chair or founding director of organizations that effect athletes, both youth and adult, the disadvantaged, the severely injured, and the business and education communities. From the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Kelowna General Hospital, Coquihalla Connector Coalition, Brain Trust Canada, United Way, Memorial Cup Society, and Okanagan Innovation Fund to his tenacious advocacy to bring a university to the Okanagan, Paul has influenced the direction of his community and provided a significant legacy for the future.

Richard quietly and unassumingly gives and gives to his community. He contributes with small gestures and large, from kind acts of generosity at his auto repair business to donations to sports teams, school projects, the Japanese Gardens, and Lady Minto Hospital Foundation. Today, we honour Richard for his most significant contribution…his donation of land, valued at 1.2 million dollars, for a social housing project to ensure that young families and those that want to stay on the Island have a place to live. He does all of this against the backdrop of growing up in family that was interned during the war and struggled to rebuild their lives. Richard is a caring, supportive, generous and much-loved member of the Salt Spring Island community.

Amanda is being honoured today for her actions in remembrance of our Veterans. When reading an article in 2006 about the unmarked graves of our war veterans, Amanda was moved to act, as she felt that a veteran who gave his life to save our country deserved a grave marker. To date, Amanda has raised $225 each for over 80 grave markers for forgotten soldiers at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. Amanda has accomplished more in her sixteen years than many of us do in a lifetime. She has inspired, by her example, not only her fellow students at Delta Secondary, but all Canadians.

Kris Olsen receives an award today for his work with youth in Haida Gwaii. A special education assistant at Queen Charlotte Secondary School, Kris has arranged successful grant applications for new courses that are geared towards increasing student employment opportunities. As well, Kris has formalized the operation of the local teen centre that provides teens with a safe and welcoming venue in which to spend their free time. He has made an important contribution in bringing the youth together from the scattered communities of the Islands thus breaking down barriers that have developed over the centuries. Kris coaches a variety of sports and fundraises to ensure the youth can participate. It is Kris’s heartfelt rapport with the youth that underlies the success of his actions.

For over thirty years, Joan Richoz has been the cornerstone of Whistler’s arts and cultural community. One of her most significant contributions was her singular vision for the development of the Whistler Public Library, where she was the first librarian. A member of the Whistler Arts Council since 1983 and current Chair, Joan has been actively involved in all of its signature programs including the Performance Series, the Whistler Childrens’ Art Festival and Bizarre Bazaar. She currently serves the provincial arts and culture community as the Chair of the BC Assembly of Arts Councils. Joan raises the character and quality of her community through her hard work, her vision and her skill at bringing out the best in others.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band is probably Cranbrook’s best known ambassador. And it is Pat Ronalds who so capably and energetically directs this band of eleven to eighteen year old girls, carrying on a seventy year tradition. The effort that Pat gives to all aspects of the band including practices, raising funds for uniforms and tours and traveling to parades in Alberta, BC and the US is extraordinary. She is a mentor to the girls, helping them to be independent, to be leaders and to encourage them to deal head-on with challenges. Pat is a positive role model who inspires these young women to be their very best.