A longtime Maillardville resident was awarded a Governor General's certificate of commendation this week.
On Monday, Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart presented Rick LePore with the accolade for heroically saving the life of an elderly man whose car had flipped into the Similkameen River in Manning Park in May 2007.
LePore, who received a standing ovation in the council chambers, told The Tri-City News he was driving a truck for Newalta when he got a call for help over his radio. The dispatcher asked if he was in the vicinity of the accident and, five minutes later, he arrived to assist with the rescue that was already underway 10 feet down an embankment.
The victim, Gordon Kingston, was returning home to the Okanagan after undergoing surgery in Vancouver when his car veered off the road, LePore said.
LePore aided rescuers in pulling Kingston from the water when he was tied to a fire hose; he also checked Kingston for broken bones and dressed his cuts. Kingston sustained extreme hypothermia and was wrapped in blankets.
"I was just happy to save his life," a humbled LePore told The News after the city presentation, which was also attended by two Mounties dressed in red serge.
Last year, LePore received a certificate from the RCMP at the B.C. E-Division headquarters in Vancouver and was thanked for his efforts by B.C. Lt. Gov. Steven Point.
The Governor General's certificate of commendation is usually presented by municipal councils on behalf of the Queen's representative and is issued to people who have made a significant contribution by offering help to another individual in distress. Created in 1993, the certificate is signed by Canada's governor general and is intended for candidates whose actions are deemed notable by the Canadian Decorations Advisory Committee. The commendation is not automatic; eligible candidates are selected through a voting process.
SEVEN HONOURED FOR THEIR SPIRIT
A number of well-known leaders and groups in the Tri-Cities were recognized for their generous spirit this week.
The Society for Community Development handed out trophies at Coquitlam's Red Robinson Show Theatre on Tuesday as part of its 11th annual Spirit of Community Awards - one of which was presented by The Tri-City News, a sponsor of the event.
The News' ad manager, Don Layfield, handed the Community Action accolade to the Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities to recognize its work supporting local women at risk or homeless. Started in 1999, the group is now 30 members strong and, for the past three years, it has assembled hundreds of personal item packs and served meals to women in need. As well, it was the first group to sign on with the Homes for Good Society in Port Coquitlam, which connects the homeless with permanent accommodation. The group also is involved with An Enchanted Evening, Warm Place for Women and Habitat for Humanity, to name a few.
Other awards presented on Tuesday went to:
Arts and Culture award: Helen Daniels of ArtsConnect;
Community Volunteerism: Ron Curties of Port Moody;
Environment: Vanessa LeBourdais of DreamRider Theatre;
Neighbour to Neighbour: Chrissy Duncan of the Charlene Reaveley fundraiser at the Klahanie in Port Moody;
Youth: Best Buddies at Dr. Charles Best secondary school;
and Douglas College Lifetime of Leadership in honour of Myrna Popove: Diane Thorne, the NDP MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville.
The annual event was followed by the Taste of the Tri-Cities.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
