Award Category: Community Award

Harry Hardy’s range of accomplishments portray him as a renaissance man. He was an RCAF hero in the Second World War and continued on a path of courage, creativity and determination in every project he has tackled. Harry has been deeply involved in Tetra, an organization that builds assistive devices for the disabled. He has developed and built more than 175 devices, which have increased independence and self-sufficiency for disabled people throughout the world. The Mayor of Burnaby describes Harry by saying “Mr. Hardy has quietly made a real difference in the world each and every day of his life.”

As a new immigrant, Esther Ho realized the need to integrate with her adopted community and face the challenges that entailed. To that end, in 2002, she worked tirelessly to found The Integration Youth Services Society. Esther’s dedication and creativity have been instrumental in the success of this non-profit organization, which has now served 2,000 people in the areas of education, personal growth, community outreach and cultural and recreational activities. Esther, together with her passion and dedication in working with children and their parents, epitomizes the spirit of volunteerism and is a role model for Chinese immigrants.

Yvonne Hopkins is an inspirational teacher of Aboriginal history, culture and traditional healing practices. For twenty one years, through her role as a volunteer teacher with many First Nations programs in the City of Vancouver, Yvonne has patiently and respectfully influenced thousands of Aboriginal people to pursue their educational and spiritual dreams. She is dedicated to the betterment of Aboriginal Nations in Canada and is described as a treasured cultural resource on traditional and contemporary Aboriginal healing practices. She has a gentle, loving way of helping her students feel proud of their cultural and historical heritage.

Simon Jackson is truly one of BC’s most gifted articulate, motivated and dedicated young men, a youth leader who has been featured in Time Magazine as one of the Heroes of the Planet. At 13 years old, Simon founded the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition whose efforts have successfully protected the spirit bear’s last intact habitat, the Great Bear Rainforest. He has inspired and acquired millions of youth supporters who have joined his organization. Simon is the Chair of the FORED BC Board of Directors which is committed to education about the environment and its natural resources and he is a dynamic speaker on sustainability issues worldwide. Simon is only in his early twenties but has proven already the “power of one”.

Wendy Lai is a self-motivated and energetic volunteer in her school and community. She works in the Hastings Community Centre as a member of the youth Council and has been an integral part of many projects such as Breakfast with Santa, Summer Day Camp, Big Brothers Mentoring Program, pre-teen dances, fundraising and more. Wendy has served on the Templeton School Student Council and planned food drives, spirit dances, and a 30 hour famine. She has mentored a group of grade eight students, helping them through their first year of high school. Wendy is known as very motivated, responsible and full of ideas.

David Lamson is an activist who wants the best for his community, specifically involving the river and fish habitat. Following the Chilliwack River floods in 1989/90 and the disputes that followed, David demonstrated an ability to see the situation from all sides. He helped bridge the gap by forming the Chilliwack River Action Committee, which enabled the concerned community groups to work together. Through his resourcefulness, inclusiveness, integrity and plain dogged persistence, David encourages his community to find common goals towards a happier, healthier and safer place to live, work and enjoy recreationally.

For over two decades, Tom and Jean Leboe have fostered 58 children, mostly with special needs, providing a safe, loving warm home. Tom and Jean set a high standard of how to be a foster parent, love the children, and embrace the parents and in doing so heal the most vulnerable families in Prince George, one family at a time. They dedicate themselves to helping the children heal, grow and develop to reach their full potential. Their commitment to helping others extends to their community volunteerism with many organizations and various levels of forest parent associations. Tom and Jean Leboe truly give of themselves on a daily basis.

Matthew Low is an outstanding student and will graduate with 9 Advanced Placement courses – unusual for any high school student but especially unusual for a young man who also contributes so much to his school and community. Outside the classroom Matt is a member of the debate team, the Model United Nations Club, a major contributor to the Kids Help Phone, a mentor for grade 8’s, an after school tutor and a contributor to the YouThink newspaper. He is also an accomplished athlete, both as a competitor and coach, and a musician. In his spare time, Matthew has volunteered for Amnesty International and UNICEF. Although still in high school, his resume includes pages of volunteer efforts.

Artistic excellence combined with social relevance has been the hallmark of Judith Marcuse’s career as one of Canada’s most creative and innovative choreographers. One of her most profound accomplishments has been working with youth through her company, DanceArts, to create and present three important projects, ICE, FIRE, and EARTH which attempt to communicate the voice of young people, their critical issues and potential solutions. ‘Life-Changing and empowering’ is youth response to Judith’s collaborative presentations. She stands as an example of an artist who has given her best to her art form and to the society of which she is part, a citizen of originality, spirit, imagination and dedication.

Peter Pelton began with ‘a one man sawmill and a large dream’ nearly 15 years ago to utilize value added timber. This became his inspiration for Silver Dew Hardwoods which today uses white birch for the Japanese flooring industry. He built the mill one piece at a time from scratch. In 2004, fire destroyed his dream but he has rebuilt. Peter Pelton has generated employment opportunities in his community, has promoted entrepreneurial spirit among the young people and has been an outstanding example to his community living by these words: “With hard work and innovation, one can reach their goal. Even when it’s difficult and everything seems impossible, stay strong and don’t give up”.