Award Category: Community Award

Alex Campbell, renowned for his founding of the Thrifty Food Store chain, has demonstrated outstanding business, community and philanthropic leadership throughout Vancouver Island for many years. Today, it is his continuing dedication to the BC Cancer Foundation on Vancouver Island that we are honouring. Alex chaired the Daring to Believe campaign which raised $6.4 million, enabling the development of a state-of-the-art cancer research centre in Victoria. Mr. Campbell has continued his steadfast commitment to raising awareness and funds to further cancer research by agreeing to Chair the BC Cancer Foundation’s Vancouver Island on-going Advisory Council which has as its goal to raise $1million annually.

For nearly 60 years, Dorothy Dodge has contributed selflessly to community life in Lytton. From taking on the challenge to setting up and maintaining the Lytton community cemetery, to becoming the first volunteer curator at the newly formed museum as well as positions at the Hospital Auxilary and local Legion Branch, Dorothy promotes volunteerism and community spirit with her energy and tireless work ethic. Dorothy exemplifies the spirit of imagination, dedication and commitment.

Jeff Dowle is an outstanding community leader in the business community of Vancouver. He has served for many years on the executive of the Vancouver Board of Trade and has led its Spirit of Vancouver campaign. Jeff is a strong supporter of the Leaders of Tomorrow Program which shapes the business, political and civic leaders of the future. Executive Vice President of HSBC Bank Canada, Jeff is also a founding council member of the Segal Graduate School of Business at Simon Fraser University. Further, Jeff has been and effective and respected contributor to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, not only as an active Board member and fundraiser but also as a past Chair of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.

Maureen Enser is a spirited British Columbian deeply committed to her community and her work at the Urban Development Institute. As part of her work, Maureen successfully brings together the community with the development industry and promotes the industry’s goals of wise and efficient land use, healthy communities, sustainability and standards of excellence. Maureen was a driving force in the campaign that raised funds to provide emergency care and housing through the YWCA Crabtree Corner for women and children in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and she has served on the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the Vancouver Resource Centre for the Physically Disabled.

George Evans is honoured today for his truly remarkable achievements in assisting with the fire-ravaged communities of the North Thompson Valley. Without hesitation, Mr. Evans launched a relief effort out of his own business, organized a board of directors, lobbied national corporations and others for support, and oversaw the reconstruction of uninsured homes. Today, the North Thompson Relief Fund has raised $3.3 million in private donations. A tenacious leader, George continues to help rebuild the region serving on the Economic Development Advisory Commission for the North Thompson Valley. George is commended for his selfless contributions, considerable personal sacrifice and his untold hours of personal time and effort into helping the people of the North Thompson Valley.

‘Enid Fraser is an extraordinary volunteer because of her devotion to doing the right thing for thousands of others’, begins her nominator, Sister Kelliher of the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement. For thirty-two years, Enid has selflessly volunteered every Thursday to help in the downtown Eastside by making hundreds of sandwiches for residents of the area. She also supervises other volunteers in a positive and pleasant manner. Enid’s compassionate spirit and willingness to help extends to other areas of community life, including shopping for the elderly, teaching English to immigrants and assisting families in her area in need.

Dr. Elaine Golds has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication in the field of environmental stewardship. Elaine has worked tirelessly on a volunteer basis attending countless public meetings, educating the community on environmental issues, working with stakeholders to develop constructive solutions to problems and doing hands-on environmental work. Enhancing habitat for wild salmon and educating hundreds of school children about the ecosystems of Burrard Inlet are some of the ways in which she makes a difference through such organizations as the Burke Mountain Naturalists, the Port Moody Ecological Society and the Federation of BC Naturalists.

Gordon Gore is one of BC’s most innovative and respected science teachers. For forty years, Gordon passed on his lifelong love of science to students and teachers alike with his ‘hands-on, minds-on’ approach to making science fun to learn and to do. Writing books, leading workshops and giving presentations were his way to engage teachers and students that science learning can be fun. But it is the development of the BIG Little Science Centre at Kamloops that is his lasting legacy. The Centre houses Gordon’s enormous variety of science toys and equipment to demonstrate scientific principles. To date, over 20,000 children and adults have seen firsthand the joy of science thanks to Gordon Gore.

Avtar Gosal is an exemplary British Columbian who has worked to create a harmonious role for the Indo-Canadian community. He was an integral part in the establishment of the Immigrant Services Centre in Vancouver; he has helped new immigrants meet language and cultural challenges; he effectively represents the Indo-Canadian community at conferences and boards at the city and provincial levels. An active fundraiser, Avtar has also assisted with eye research, cancer programs, and with the Children’s Hospital Indo-Canadian fundraising committee.

Marion Hunt-Doig is a cultural trailblazer and educator. Since 1974, Marion has presented her First People’s Program, sharing the traditions of the First Nations culture and heritage to children and adults in her community, in BC and around the world. Marion’s unique program is part museum exhibit, part lecture and part dance recital, all designed to highlight the First Nations culture. The centerpiece of her program is the button blankets that she so carefully makes. A talented fabric artist, these blankets tell the story of her family. Marion is a living example of how to build bridges between cultures and encourage relationships and partnerships that result in an enriched community.