The Tri-Cities are filled with people who give of their time to community groups and non-profits, schools and sports organizations.
And Friday night, the city of Port Coquitlam honoured some of them, handing out its annual volunteer recognition awards at the PoCo recreation complex.
Forty-five people were nominated in seven award categories, and all were invited to Friday’s celebration along with other community volunteers. The award recipients are:
• Lifetime Volunteer: Beatrice Kelly, who has lived in PoCo for 23 years and has been an active volunteer in a many areas. She was a charter member of Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities, serving as its first club president in PoCo in 1999. She has served on the board in every capacity, has chaired every committee at one time, has led major fundraisers, and has served on the regional board for Western Canada. She has also volunteered with the Port Coquitlam Heritage Society, the Women’s Centre, Wilson Centre, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Blind Sport Association, Crossroads Hospice Society, the Kinsmen Teddy Bear Picnic and UNICEF — and she plans and serves meals at a monthly meal and social program.
• Arts, Heritage and Cultural Awareness: Nikki Hillman, who is active with the Friends of Leigh Square, has founded several local writers’ projects, helped with the kids’ banner project and recently wrote and edited a children’s book for the PoCo Heritage Society. (Other nominees: Bill Atfield, Colin Craig, Devyn Giordano, Donna McKinnon-Heide, Ray Melville, Jas Qualitz and Terry Villeneuve.)
• Caring and Safety: Anne Huntley, a founding member and president of the Wilson Centre Seniors Advisory Association. She dedicates more than 1,000 hours each year to supporting seniors and is a longtime active Lions Club member and community volunteer. (Other nominees: Andrew Carroll, Harriette Chang, Tessa Chiu, Roxanna Ferdowsi, Darren Galer, Beatrice Kelly, Jenn Lazar, Carmin Lemon, Ann Pratt, Robert Sierakowski, Phillip Stuart, Jeanette Tsai and Wendy Yates.)
• Environmental Protection and Enhancement: Terry Sawchenko, a longtime volunteer for the Hyde Creek Watershed Society and current hatchery manager who has dedicated countless hours over the years to numerous leadership roles as well as hands-on work. (Other nominees: Sperrill Chambers and Connie Reichelsdorfer.)
• Sports and Recreation: Josh Wahl, who dedicates thousands of hours a year to local sports, from leadership roles to coaching lacrosse and hockey teams at the same time. He is currently the president of PoCo Minor Lacrosse. (Other nominees: Ashley Aujla, Mike Carkner, Joe Collins, Ben Felling, Rick Spencer and Neela Trotter.)
• Youth Programs: Jan Borge, who has been active in local scouting for more than 15 years, volunteering 500 hours in the past year in leadership roles (including as the group commissioner), planning activities, fundraising and whatever tasks needs doing. (Other nominees: Kurt Chelsberg, Ron Goyette and Adam Rayburn.)
• U21: Justin Bains, who has volunteered 200-plus hours in the past year visiting seniors at Hawthorne Care Centre, as a wayfinding volunteer at Royal Columbian Hospital and as the youngest person to volunteer at Crossroads Hospice Society. He is also a volunteer tutor. (Other nominees: Monica Bassili, Karyn Cholette, Kiarra Murray, Telka Pesklevits, Ashton Ramsay, Aradia Faire Reid, Katie Salvador and Hana Yang.)
A special recognition was also given to Harvey Maruk for being a good neighbour by helping clear sidewalks after every snowfall to help his neighbours get around safely.
A panel of the previous recipients selected this year’s recipients in all categories except for Lifetime Volunteer, which is selected by city council. Each recipient received an etched glass award and their names are engraved on the honour rolls displayed at city hall.
