Foundation Seeks Public's Help to Find the "Community Achievers"

VANCOUVER, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - They come from BC's biggest cities and tiniest towns. They are young, old and in-between. People who boldly develop the grand plan; others who quietly put it into play.

They are the recipients of the British Columbia Community Achievement Awards, one of the highest awards bestowed on those British Columbians who make life better in their communities. And right now, the foundation is seeking your help to nominate worthy people.

"Each year, we get an amazing array of people from all walks of life who are recognized for their selfless contribution to their communities," says Nora Newlands, executive director of the BC Achievement Foundation. "This year, we have had so many inquiries that we have had to extend the deadline for nominations to Dec. 1."

Last year, 47 British Columbians representing 32 communities were honoured at a special ceremony at Government House in Victoria. The awards are made possible through the generous support of the Postmedia Network Inc. and are presented by the BC Achievement Foundation, which was established in 2003.

"The contributors are remarkable not only for their achievements but for the diverse ways they enhance life in their communities through their work or their volunteer activities," said Newlands.

Sixteen year old Amanda Neil of Delta was honoured last year for starting a campaign to raise money for grave markers for forgotten soldiers at Vancouver's Mountain View Cemetery. Another recipient, Richard Murakami of Salt Spring Island, was a member of a Japanese Canadian family interned during the war but that didn't stop him from a life of non stop giving to his community, including donating $1.2 million for a social housing project that allows people to stay on the Gulf Island.

"These awards honour people who contribute in a range of areas - sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, multiculturalism, health care, education, civic duty, business innovation, community volunteerism, and youth or senior's leadership," said Newlands. "At the same time, we don't limit these awards to just these categories. The judges are really open to any community contribution."

One way that nominators can get a taste for the kind of contribution that qualifies is to go to foundation website http://www.bcachievement.com/community/recipients.php Once there, they will find hundreds of recipients recognized since 2003 as well as a description of their contributions. Nomination forms with instructions are also available on the site. "The possible kinds of service are really only limited by your imagination," Newlands said.

Some other kinds of activities include:

    
    -   A woman who created the Young Okanagan Writer's Contest in Penticton
    -   A Cariboo man who organized a community committee to design and build
        an innovative trail at Tatlayoko Lake using recycled mining belts to
        create a workable surface for wheelchairs.
    -   A 90 year old Vancouver woman who has been teaching Over 50's Yoga
        for 25 years.
    -   A Saanich Peninsula nurse and hospital administrator who has been a
        driving force behind enhancements in local hospital services and
        still finds time to help children and families.
    -   A six term mayor of Valemount involved in helping form University of
        Northern BC, helped spur prosperity through the local economic
        development commission on top of her regular duties.
    

An independent advisory council selects the award recipients and each individual receives a certificate and a medallion designed by B.C. aboriginal artist Robert Davidson.

For further information: Nora Newlands, 604 261 9777, (BC toll free 1 866 882 6088), [email protected]