Award Category: Community Award

As the volunteer emergency social services director for the City of Kelowna and latterly for the Central Okanagan Regional District, BURL Itani has been on-call, every hour of every day, for the last 20 years. During the 2003 Okanagan Firestorm, Beryl was instrumental in the region’s largest evacuation in history. It was her professional leadership that led the team that evacuated and cared for 30,000 Kelowna residents. As well, Beryl has served in other volunteer capacities in her community; the Sunshine Theatre, the Justice Institute of B.C.and for 27 years on Kelowna’s Snowfest Committee. Fire Chief Gerry Zimmerman notes that Beryl is considered one of the best examples of a true volunteer and regardless of the situation over the years, ‘Beryl has never let us down’.

For more than 50 years, Carolynn Janzer has put the community and its citizens ahead of herself. An outspoken advocate for children, women and positive social change, she has devoted time to over 38 organizations including the Foster Parents Association, Royal Jubilee Hospital, One Breath at a Time Foundation, the YM-YWCA Women of Distinction, and organizations on the West Shore including the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. She has not only contributed herself but has also mobilized hundreds of people behind her causes to promote the betterment of her community.

Dr. LaVerne Kindree has lived and worked in Squamish for over 50 years. Not only has Dr. Kindree been instrumental in meeting the community’s evolving healthcare needs, he has been integral in the development of the community. Dr. Kindree has served Squamish as a chamber of commerce member, a municipal council alderman and director of the Squamish Regional District. Dr.Kindree has chosen to live his life with integrity and as inspiration to others, whether its chairing a board, sitting as a member of a committee or relentless fund raising efforts for the Squamish General Hospital and its extended care facility.

Magdalen R. Leung demonstrates an enormous enthusiasm and love for Richmond, chairing fundraising initiatives and community events, acting as an advocate for the arts, and promoting volunteerism. A resident for 32 years, Magdalen promotes multiculturalism to ensure full community support for causes that improve the lives of all residents. Magdalen works with organizations ranging from the Richmond Community Arts Council and the Richmond Hospital Foundation to her current roles on the board of the Richmond Community Foundation and the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club.

Artist Michelle Loughery designed and painted 26 historical murals in downtown Vernon, a project which is an outstanding success not only as it celebrates the area’s heritage and culture but it is also a major tourism draw. Michelle’s talent is unquestionable but it was her creation of this art on the street that was so significant in her community. It mobilized citizens to work together with a sense of pride. Most importantly, Michelle involved 75 youth at risk on the project. Michelle is more than an artist, but rather a mentor to the community’s youth and a public relations ambassador for Vernon.

Dr. George Magee has given yeoman’s service to his community for more than 35 years. In addition to providing quality medical care to local residents, he has played an important role in many community projects and activities. As an active members of the Rotary Club of Burns Lake, he helped complete important recreation facilities. He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Rod Reid Nature Trail, donating much of the land for the trail system. Now retired, he continues to be passionate about his profession and especially the recruitment of doctors for rural service. He is a member of the University of Northern British Columbia’s Medical Endowment Fundraising Committee.

As principal of W. J. Mouat Secondary School in Abbotsford, Des McKay provided creative programming and options for students that led the school to be recognized as one of the top ten in Canada in 2004. Des strengthened the links to the general community in innovative ways: he established school service projects that benefited the community at large and he established an advisory council of community leaders to brainstorm future directions for the school. Des McKay is not only a visionary educational leader but also is a dedicated volunteer in his community where his warmth, compassion and quiet strength of character help him ‘see opportunity where others see obstacles’.

Dr. Donald McKenzie, a sport medicine expert, has changed the lives of women after breast cancer. Through his groundbreaking research project, Don challenged a longstanding medical myth that women with breast cancer should not compete in strenuous upper body exercise. He launched a program in 1996 called Abreast in a Boat where Vancouver breast cancer survivors trained and competed in the annual Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival. The project showed that paddling improved not only the physical health of its participants but also the mental health. Today, over 2000 Abreast in a Boat paddlers in British Columbia and throughout the world participate, all as a result of Dr. McKenzie’s deep personal and professional commitment.

Laurae McNally has a long and distinguished history of dedicated service to the City of White Rock and the community of South Surrey. She has worked tirelessly in strengthening and building the community with her passion for people, education, sports and the underprivileged. She has volunteered on many community boards in the areas of civic improvement, arts and culture, health and child and family development. One of her major involvements is her over 20-year commitment as a trustee on the Surrey schoolboard where she has championed unique and innovative programs and promoted the well-being of students in the area.

Bill McNulty contributes not to one community but to many: the City of Richmond, BC High School Sports, BC athletics, Athletics Canada, Rotary Club and the University of British Columbia. A Councilor for the City of Richmond since 1993, he is a visible and approachable community leader whose door is always open. He is passionate about sport and his vision includes the value sport brings to the community. As a coach, official and administrator, his contributions have been, and continue to be immeasurable. Bill has served as a member of the UBC Senate for fifteen years and president of the UBC Alumni Association.