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Port Coquitlam woman honoured for refugee work

Jefferson Award Foundation fetes Nancy McCurrach at gala event in Washington DC
McCurrach
Nancy McCurrach of Port Coquitlam was honoured at a gala in Washington, D.C. on June 22 for her volunteer work, including her efforts with the Tri-Cities Refugees Welcome Wagon group that supports three Syrian refugee families. McCurrach was selected the United Steelworkers' overall Jefferson Awards Foundation Champion volunteer for 2017.

A Port Coquitlam woman was honoured last week in the U.S. capital with an international award for her work with Tri-City refugees and other causes.

Nancy McCurrach, who works for Telus as a customer service representative, was honoured at a gala June 22 in Washington, D.C. as the United Steelworkers' Jefferson Awards Foundation champion volunteer for 2017.

The award recognizes community service work by members of the United Steelworkers union. McCurrach, a member of the Telecommunications Workers Union, USW National Local 1944, was chosen from more than 150 nominees from districts across both the U.S. and Canada.

"I was just blown away," said McCurrach, remembering how her heart was beating when she heard her name called during the gala attended by more than 600 delegates.

She said the award should also go to the Tri-Cities Refugee Welcome Wagon, a group of friends and co-workers who fundraise and provide support to Syrian and Turkish refugees who are making homes in the region. The award comes with $1,500 that will help the group provide assistance with transportation, school supplies and other needs.

"It will help for sure," said McCurrach, who said three Syrian widows have recently found affordable housing through BC Housing at complexes in Coquitlam while the Turkish family recently moved to Vancouver.
The two local families include nine children, including one who recently lost her eye to cancer and had to have a prosthetic eye.

McCurrach is also a four-time cornea transplant recipient due to a rare disease called keratoconus and volunteers for the Soroptimists International of the Tri-Cities, which hosts a hot meal program for 60 women and children through a program called Warm Place.

The Jefferson Award Foundation financed McCurrach's trip to Washington, along with that of her husband, Ray.