Award Category: Community Award

Don Benson has given decades of service to New Westminster in sport, culture and leadership. Early on, he founded the Queens Park Youth Soccer Association and under his leadership the Royal City Minor Lacrosse Association flourished. He initiated the city’s successful bid for the Canada Summer Games, co-founded the Royal City Musical Theatre Society, and is currently the city’s Poet Laureate Emeritus and the chair of Royal City 2010 Sports Olympic Task Force.

Age is no barrier to Lois Carson Boyce, a vibrant and energetic 88-year-old whose community activism has benefited the people of Richmond for the past 40 years. She has been committed to meeting the challenges of social and environmental issues in her community through such organizations as the City Centre Community Association and the Safe Communities Alliance. Lois continues to work for the benefit of seniors’ health care, specifically in the area of falls prevention.

Nelson, Duncan, Golden, Mackenzie and most recently, Prince George have all benefited from Bill Christie’s commitment to helping in his communities. With more than 23 years as an elected school trustee in Nelson and Prince George, including the last six years as chair of the Prince George School Board, Bill has contributed to a wide variety of civic activities, sports, education and community organizations.

Under Dr. Margo Fryer’s leadership, vision and commitment, the University of British Columbia established the Learning Exchange, a nationally-recognized community engagement initiative which fosters community building and outreach. In addition to its Downtown Eastside storefront programs, the initiative provides students with community service learning opportunities in inner-city communities and prepares these students to be exceptional global citizens.

Christopher Gaze founded Vancouver’s Bard on The Beach, an extraordinary Shakespearean festival, which is now enjoyed by more than 80,000 attendees annually. An energetic leader, consummate actor, caring director, mentor and generous community leader, Christopher successfully promotes an appreciation for theatre, literature, reading and history.

Lois Godfrey continues to be a central guiding force for the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, which she helped found 50 years ago and which today supports 600 individuals with developmental disabilities. Active on BACI committees and the BC Association for Community Living, Lois advocates for the right of all citizens to be respected, contributing members of our communities.

Chemainus has benefited from more than 50 years of volunteering by Sandra Heydon. She has brought leadership and energy to the Health Care Auxiliary, the Hospital Task Force, the Seniors’ Drop-In Centre and the local Tour de Rock campaign. As well, Sandra has devoted thousands of hours to the Chemainus Mural project which has transformed Chemainus into a world class tourist destination.

Martin and Esther Kafer have been central to British Columbia’s mountaineering community for more than 50 years. Leaders and participants in almost all aspects of the BC Mountaineering Club, they have led mountain safety and rescue education programs, organized the construction of huts and emergency shelters for climbers and have been actively involved in lower mainland and Whistler mountain rescue groups.

Barbara Kaminsky, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon Division, is committed to health care and the prevention of cancer and other diseases. She has been instrumental in changing the way government agencies, health care professionals and individuals view their role in preventing these diseases. Barbara has led the BC Healthy Living Alliance in developing the Winning Legacy, a plan to assist the province realize its dream of being the healthiest host of any Olympics.

As president of Vancouver Technical Secondary School, the largest inner city school in Vancouver and one of the most ethnically diverse schools in Canada, Gilbert Lam is a natural leader. He is the founder of the Assembly Theatre Company, a school group that deals with student issues such as bullying, stereotyping, school safety, school pride and self-esteem. When faced with challenges he seeks solutions and although constantly active within his school, Gilbert also finds time to volunteer in his community.