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Volunteer Recognition Awards
Port Coquitlam's annual Volunteer Recognition Awards recognize the efforts of community volunteers and lets them know their efforts are appreciated.
On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the City of Port Coquitlam celebrated its volunteers and their valuable contributions to our community at a special Volunteer Recognition Awards & Tribute event at Riverside Secondary School. Award recipients were be presented with an etched glass Volunteer Recognition Award. All nominees received a commemorative 2012 lapel pin. The 2012 selection committee is comprised of 2011 Volunteer Recognition Award recipients, the Mayor and a City of Port Coquitlam staff resource person. The Lifetime Volunteer Award is selected by City Council. Their unpaid volunteer contributions provide extraordinary help or care to families or groups in Port Coquitlam.
2012 Nominees – Bob Buchan, Gordon Graves and Ed Spence
2012 Award Recipient – Bob Buchan
For 27 years, Buchan has worked hard to make Port Coquitlam a welcoming and inclusive community, to give all residents the opportunity for a better and more active lifestyle, and to mentor youth.
He has provided sporting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities during the years he spent volunteering with the Port Coquitlam Amateur Athletic Association, as well as through the annual Special Olympics tournament he organizes.
During his long involvement with Port Coquitlam Minor Softball he has served in many capacities, from president to coach, and was always the first to step forward when something needed to be done.
Buchan has been a positive influence in many young people’s lives over the years, helping them to be the best they can be and teaching them the value of a strong work ethic, loyalty and dedication to your community.
As one of his nominators said, Buchan “gives his time freely and with passion if it means making Port Coquitlam a better community for its residents.”
ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURAL AWARENESS – Preserves and celebrates Port Coquitlam’s past and shares our community heritage with others; promotes the arts and cultural development of our community.
2012 Nominees – Beth David, Brian Hubbard, Kathleen James, Christine Koenders and Chris Pearce.
2012 Award Recipient – Brian Hubbard
Hubbard, a director of the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society, takes a lead role in managing the society’s activities. His contributions include writing grant applications, volunteering at the Heritage Display Centre, attending events, and helping run the Community Archives. He takes charge of all technical aspects, including procuring equipment, cataloguing artifacts and updating the website. He also helps preserve history through interviews, photos and video.
According to one of his nominators, he “has shown a very determined passion to guide the Heritage Society along its path to further development.”
CARING AND SAFETY – Enhances and promotes the community through caring actions and outstanding acts of humanitarianism; contributes towards making Port Coquitlam a safer place for residents of all ages.
2012 Nominees – Mila Filimonova, Harley Haines, Lorna Hutniak, Barb Kersch, Darlene McCann, Corry Moffat, James Putnam and Joan Setchell
2012 Award Recipient – Corry Moffat
Moffat’s nomination included six letters of support and a long list of volunteer activities. For seven years, Moffat has actively volunteered at the Terry Fox Foundation office, working tirelessly at any task that needs to be completed. In addition, she has found time to help out at hospital and the health unit, take part in food drives, ride the Big Bike for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Variety Club Telethon, help out at her church, bake cookies for fundraisers, and more.
As one nominator said, “her kindness is contagious and has truly taught me to be a more considerate and giving person.”
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT – Demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the promotion and preservation of Port Coquitlam’s natural environment for present and future generations.
2012 Nominees – Gary Elgear and Sandy LeMonnier
2012 Award Recipient – Gary Elgear
Elgear is a passionate advocate for rivers and wild salmon. For the last decade, he has organized a huge annual cleanup of the Coquitlam River, which this year attracted 250 volunteers and removed three to four tonnes of garbage.
Those who attend the Hyde Creek Salmon Festival will see Elgar teaching children to tie flies and fly cast. He collects used fishing equipment to donate to children, and hosts a Sturgeon Derby every year to raise funds for salmon hatcheries. He was also recently appointed to the Coquitlam River Roundtable Watershed Core Committee.
According to one nominator, “the Coquitlam River is cleaner and our community has been much enriched by his ongoing efforts and countless hours of volunteering over the past decade.”
SPORTS AND RECREATION – Enhances the quality of physical activity in Port Coquitlam; contributes to the management and/or operations of a sports or recreation activity; demonstrates outstanding dedication to Port Coquitlam’s sports and recreation community.
2012 Nominees – Terry Fleming and Fred Lachlan
2012 Award Recipient – Fred Lachlan
Lachlan has volunteered with Port Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse for more than a decade, and has held a variety of positions on the executive over the years. Although his children no longer play the sport, he continues to dedicate many hours to the association. He is always the first to step up and fill a volunteer position, from team manager to convenor of the provincial championships.
His nominator describes him as a “very organized and hard-working volunteer for PoCo Minor Lacrosse. We are very proud and lucky to have him in our organization.”
YOUTH PROGRAMS – An individual who supports Port Coquitlam’s youth through the development, provision and/or participation in youth programs and activities (excluding amateur athletics).
2012 Nominees – Margaret Mahovlich, Patrick McCarthy and Ken Pepin
2012 Award Recipient – Margaret Mahovlich
Mahovlich started volunteering with youth in 1977, as a coach for youth bowlers in Port Coquitlam. In the years that followed, she has dedicated many hours to mentoring youth and helping them aspire to become great people, through her volunteer work with Air Cadet League squadrons and its provincial committee.
She now serves on the board of directors for the 777 Neptune Squadron, chairs its Parent Advisory Committee and spends long hours helping raise funds and provide opportunities for its members.
In her nominator’s words, she “goes above and beyond. She sacrifices her health to see these young people get ahead.”
U21 (YOUTH UNDER 21) – Reserved for the recognition of a Port Coquitlam youth, under the age of 21, who has demonstrated a commitment to our community and has made extraordinary volunteer contributions in any of the categories above.
2012 Nominees – Stuart Night and Cathleen Redman
2012 Award Recipient – Cathleen Redman
At only 14, Redman is already making a positive impact both at school and in the community. After receiving volunteer training last summer, she has already volunteered more than 400 hours with a variety of children’s programs and camps at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.
Her other volunteer work has included helping the Rotary Club paint the local women’s resource centre, leading the recycling group at her school, and sitting on the student leadership council.
She also finds time to be a straight A student and be active in sports, church and other activities.
Nomination Criteria
Past Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award recipients are not eligible for all categories except Lifetime Volunteer, but past nominees are eligible for any category. Nominations must be for an individual (couples or group nominations are not eligible).
Nominees do not have to be a resident of Port Coquitlam, but should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Their unpaid volunteer contributions provide extraordinary help or care to families or groups in Port Coquitlam.
- They continually commit their time, talent and energy, without pay, to improve the quality of life in Port Coquitlam.
- They have been voluntarily involved in a program or project that has had a lasting benefit for Port Coquitlam and its residents.
- Arts Heritage and Cultural Awareness
- Caring and Safety
- Environmental Protection and Enhancement
- Sports and Recreation
- Youth Programs
- U21 (Youth Under 21)
- Lifetime Volunteer - NEW!
Arts Heritage and Cultural Awareness
Preserves and celebrates Port Coquitlam’s past and shares our community heritage with others and/or promotes the arts and cultural development of our community.
Caring and Safety
Enhances and promotes the community through caring actions and outstanding acts of humanitarianism; contributes towards making Port Coquitlam a safer place for residents of all ages.
Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the promotion and preservation of Port Coquitlam’s natural environment for present and future generations.
Sports and Recreation
Enhances the quality of physical activity in Port Coquitlam; contributes to the management and/or operations of a sports or recreation activity; demonstrates outstanding dedication to Port Coquitlam’s sports and recreation community.
Youth Programs
An individual who supports Port Coquitlam’s youth through the development, provision and/or participation in youth programs and activities (excluding amateur athletics).
U21 (Youth Under 21)
Reserved for the recognition of a Port Coquitlam youth, under the age of 21, who has demonstrated a commitment to our community and has made extraordinary volunteer contributions in any of the categories above.
Lifetime Volunteer - NEW!
Reserved
for the recognition of an individual who has dedicated many years to improving the community through their volunteer service in any area.
The 2012 Volunteer Recognition Awards and Tribute are proudly supported by:
For more informaton on Port Coquitlam's Volunteer Recognition Awards, contact:
Manager of Communications and Administration
Tel 604.927.5335
Fax 604.927.5331
Email communications@portcoquitlam.ca
Location and Mailing Address
3rd Floor, City Hall, 2580 Shaughnessy Street
Port Coquitlam BC V3C 2A8
Business Hours
8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
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