Award Category: Community Award

In all her endeavors, Dixie Jacobsen approaches her volunteerism with originality while her contagious personality attracts others to help. Dixie has served on the boards of the BC and national Thoroughbred Horse Societies raising the profile of BC-bred horses and promoting the societies’ activites. Through her involvement with the David Foster Foundation, Dixie generously supports families of children dealing with organ transplants. As well, Dixie serves on the organizing committee for the Fraser Valley’s Crystal Gala raising significant funds for breast cancer. Communities are built on the strength and commitment of the people who give of themselves so others can have a better life. Dixie is without question one of those people.

Since moving to Nanaimo 25 years ago, Diana Johnstone has made a lasting impression on her community through her conrtributions to local government, art, culture, recreation and tourism. Diana has been involved in every Festival or Celebration since 1982, most recently, as President of the 2007 BC Seniors’ Games. Diana is committed to promoting Nanaimo and building civic pride amongst its residents. Passionate about sports, Diana has been instrumental in Nanaimo’s hosting of major sporting events. She is an inspiration to all she meets and an example of true community leadership.

Brenda Reid-Kuecks is a community development practitioner who is honoured today for her contributions to rural communities of coastal Vancouver Island. Brenda has brokered one of the most innovative forest management projects in the province and has forged trusting relationships in all sectors of the fishing industry. Her strength is her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to develop sustainable business initiatives within the tourism, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. Known for her mediator’s ear and mother’s heart, Brenda has the patience and grace to put her talent to use to make the communities where she lives and works better places.

Professor Yukman Lai promotes the blending of Canadian and Chinese art and culture through his work as a master of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Described as a “model of enlightened multicultural adaptation”, Professor Lai exerts great efforts both to preserve and promote a greater understanding of Chinese Art, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability by applying it to our BC landscapes. He has served on the boards of the Chinese Canadian Artists Federation, Richmond Art Gallery and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver. We honour Professor Yukman Lai today for his contribution to the understanding of the cultural traditions of the east and the west.

Tom Malone is a legend in the United Way of the Lower Mainland. Not only has he had a role on every committee, he is the longest serving volunteer of the United Way Cabinet Campaign. For the past 18 years, Tom has consistently demonstrated his willingness and flexibility to assist staff whether as a workplace campaign volunteer or in his most recent position as chair of its board of directors. He is a strong supporter of the BC Lions, founding with three others, the “Waterboys”, a spirited fundraising group. A director of the Surrey Art Gallery, Tom Malone is a great asset to his community, a true leader who brings out the best in others.

Thanks to Paul McDonell, four bright and cheerful murals have been installed on building walls along Edmond Street in Burnaby. Paul is a life-long volunteer within his community and has come to be known as “Mr. Burnaby”. Chair of the Burnaby Parks and Recreation Commission, member of the Edmonds City Fair Committee, Edmonds Town Centre Business and Community Association and the Spirit of Edmonds committee, Paul has made a significant difference. Paul is especially active connecting with Burnaby’s new immigrants and refugees. If a request is made which benefits Burnaby, Paul will be there with tremendous energy and enthusiasm.

Melanie McKenzie is the Executive Director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation and under her guidance the Foundation has become known as one of Victoria’s leading not-for-profits. With Melanie’s on-going leadership, the Foundation has increased its annual fundraising to $7 million and has undertaken two very successful fundraising campaigns. Melanie achieves success through excellent team building, mentoring and providing important professional development opportunities to her staff. Melanie has supported the Big Sisters and Big Brother organizations for the past ten years and has served as past president of the BCIT alumni association.

A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and a nurse of western medicine, Dr. James Pau has provided free and unlimited treatment to the homeless, seniors, drug addicted or those with hepatitis and HIV/AIDS in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. He bridges the gap between them many ethnic groups and marginalized poor through his work with the North American Buddhist Alternative Medicine Centre. Dr. Pau sits on advisory councils to Vancouver and St. Paul’s hospitals as well asto the City of Vancouver. Dr. Pau serves the community with generosity of spirit and, in doing so, improves the lives of Vancouver’s disadvantaged residents.

Lilo Petermann’s dedication to her students has contributed substantially to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the many seniors who have taken her classes. For the past 25 years Lilo has been teaching the “Yoga over 50” class twice weekly, at the West End Community Centre. She does this on a voluntary basis, in order to keep the classes affordable for her students. Her classes are fun and designed for the needs of seniors, giving particular attention to maintaining flexibility and balance while also dealing with specific mobility and joint problems. At 90 years young, Lilo’s personal vitality is a testament to the contribution to overall health and well-being made by exercise, diet, a balanced lifestyle and a positive outlook.

Jude Platzer’s work has a simple goal: to prevent suicide. After the tragic loss of her 15 year old son, Jude founded the Josh Platzer Society for Teen Suicide Prevention and turned her grief into action. She is dedicated to ‘breaking the silence’ and removing the stigma of suicide through open conversations with parents, youth, educators and medical and social service professionals. Jude’s efforts have ensured the success of three major forums on suicide prevention and she has motivated students to distribute 10,000 wrist bands, imprinted with a special crisis line phone number and website. Through her ongoing and expanding efforts, Jude Platzer has made a profound and lasting impact on the health and well-being of BC’s youth.