PORT COQUITLAM, BC – APRIL 20, 2023… Over 220 people gathered at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre last night to celebrate Port Coquitlam’s volunteers, laugh and mingle at the City’s annual volunteer awards night.

Four awards were handed out at the Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Awards & Tribute evening, which featured entertainment from Nikita Afonso and Neal Ryan and caricaturists, Ted Couling and Andy Bartlett. The evening was emceed by Kevin Lim from the award winning syndicated “Mornings with Kevin and Sonia” show. 

“Last night’s awards night is our way of celebrating volunteers who have voluntarily chosen to make a difference in our community. Volunteers are truly the roots of our city and we are so fortunate to have them volunteer their time, energy and experiences to improve the lives of others,” said Mayor Brad West. “Volunteers are inspiring and I appreciate how much they devote their time and effort to support our city.”

A total of 56 people were nominated this year in three award categories, and all were invited to Wednesday’s celebration along with other community volunteers. Fortis BC sponsored the event for the 23rd year. This year’s theme was Volunteers are the roots of the Community.

2023 Award Recipients

Awards were presented in the following categories. Photos from the event will be posted at portcoquitlam.ca/volunteerawards on Friday April 21. 

Lifetime Volunteer – Honours individuals who have dedicated many years to improving the community of Port Coquitlam through their volunteer efforts. Council awarded two recipients this year. 

Award Recipient – Bryan Ness 

Bryan has been volunteering for very many years and exemplifies the virtue of a good caring citizen and goes over and above. 

He has made a measurable impact over the years with his volunteer efforts and was a recipient in 2009 for the Arts, Heritage and Cultural Awareness Award. Bryan has been a volunteer for 16 years with the Port Coquitlam Heritage Society

He defines the meaning of the word “volunteer” and is a passionate one. . 

Award Recipient – Ann Pratt

Ann sits on the Executive Board of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #133 and is active with the Legion’s Poppy Committee and also organizes cribbage night every Wednesday there. 

She has volunteered for many years with City events, such as the River’s and Trails festival, received the Wilson Centre Volunteer of the Year award in 2017 and is an extremely family oriented person and a very hard-working individual. Over the years Ann has given hundreds of hours to making the City of Port Coquitlam a great place to live and play.

Volunteer Of the Year Award – This category honours someone who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the community in any of the following categories: 

• Arts, Heritage & Cultural Awareness – honour those who help preserve and celebrate Port Coquitlam’s past, and promote the arts and cultural development of our community.
• Caring and Safety – honours those who enrich our community through their caring and humanitarian actions, and who work to make Port Coquitlam a safer place for all of us.
• Environmental Protection and Enhancement – honours volunteers who are committed to promoting and preserving Port Coquitlam’s natural environment for present and future generations.
• Sports and Recreation – honours volunteers who enhance the quality of physical activity in Port Coquitlam.
• Youth Programs – recognize those who support youth through the development, provision or participation in youth programs and activities.

 Nominees – Mannix Abaya, Fernanda Amaro, Sarah Arsenault, Sherri-Lyn Citulec, Meena Dhillon, Sheri Fedeyko, Sandra Gagne, Jacqueline Goring, Joan Gould, Thomasina Hewer, Kathy-Rose Hildebrand. Helen Howes, Brittany Johnson, Bill Jones, Tony Kostka, Fran Laidlaw, Janis Mack, Shari Monsma, Tammy Moyer, Pooja Patel, Claire Pinkett, Ann Pratt, Bill Pratt, James Putnam, Denis Sleightholme, Denise Spletzer, Keith Walker, Mark Williams and Alanna Wong.

Award Recipient – Tony Kostka

Tony has brought music, dance, traditional food, art and so much more to Port Coquitlam. Always generous, professional and enthusiastic as he worked in the community to provide opportunities for all ages to showcase their talents at the Polish Festival. This festival welcomed everyone, which brought a greater understanding of the cultural traditions of many people who immigrated from Poland to Port Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities area. 

Future Leader – Youth Volunteer of the Year Award -U25  – Reserved for the recognition of a Port Coquitlam youth, under the age of 25, who has demonstrated a commitment to our community and has made extraordinary volunteer contributions in any of the categories above.

Nominees – Nathan Amin, Megan Chan, Maria Chedraoui, Jimmy Chen, Narissa Gillani, Chole Goodison, Rachel Jang, Aidan Kokotilo-Moen, Casey Kong, Alba Latorre Sala, Eg Manilag, Kayla Stewart, Olivia Tuan and Jenny Zhang,

Award Recipient – Chloe Goodison
Chole is a volunteer with the Tri-Cities Community Overdose Action team and advocates for increased harm reduction services and decreased stigma around people who use drugs. 

A student at SFU, Chloe received a grant for a community engagement project and partnered with local organizations such as TCCAT, Share, Fraser Health, Access Youth Outreach and SD43 to design a highschool curriculum about BC’s overdose crisis.

Each recipient received an etched glass award and their names are engraved on the honour rolls which will be displayed at City Hall. 

Thank you to our print media sponsor Tri-City News for their media support.  

– 30 –

MEDIA CONTACT

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca