home > community awards
Community Awards 
The Community Awards program is designed to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements from members of our community. The committee worked hard to provide a wide range of opportunities for people to nominate and recognize contributions in various areas. While nominations were not received in all categories, we are very pleased, in our first year, to be giving away awards in 11 different categories.
Click HERE to view photos of the event.
Citizen of the Year Award - Sponsored by Moose FM
After having spent many years with School District 60, Ruth Ann Darnall pursued many volunteer activities. Over the past year in particular, she has done weekly singing in elementary classes, delivery service for Meals on Wheels, and took the time to bake home cooked goodies for her volunteer meetings, as she is a member of many non-profit societies in the community including (but not limited to) The Home Care Auxiliary, Northern Environmental Action Team (NEAT), Peace Valley Environmental Association, the Festival of the Arts, Fort St John Public Library Board, the SPCA, Amnesty International, and Save our Northern Seniors.
She has spent many hours working with the North Peace Mental Health Society and the Desiderata Clubhouse, and has spent much of her time advertising, communicating with the board and staff, and attends and participates in many special events at the Clubhouse.
Most importantly through all this, Ruth Ann is always cheerful, loving and ready to lend a hand to friends in need.
Sports Person of the Year Award - Sponsored by Moose FM
The Sportsperson of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their time to sport in our community. These are individuals who have demonstrated leadership, encouraged sport ethics and fair play, and contributed to improving sport opportunities in the community. They are positive role models or have made exceptional contributions within the sporting community in Fort St John, and incorporate the values and principles of ‘True Sport’, a Movement based on the belief that good sport can help build lasting strengths in individuals, as well as healthy, vibrant communities and a more socially connected Canada.
Mr. George Kantz is certainly deserving of the 2008 Sportsperson of the Year Award. George has been involved in Fort St John Minor Hockey for over 20 years. Through his role as the Kid’s Arena Manager, George influenced many of the youth in our community with his high moral values, and by listening and encouraging them all to be stars. He always has a smile on his face and was always around to lend a hand to all the youth at the facility, as well as answer the call of duty at all hours of the night. His dedication to hockey in Fort St John has impacted many, and as George retires from the Kid’s Arena this year, we are pleased to recognize him and his many years of work in our community.
Volunteer Organization of the Year Award - Sponsored by Energy FM
The Volunteer Organization of the Year Award recognizes the volunteer organization or foundation that has provided outstanding contributions to the community having a direct positive effect on the residents of Fort St John .
As we all know, the Fort St John Community Arts Council touches almost every part of Fort St John . The Arts Council continuously promotes the role of arts through quality of life experiences and works to enhance each of our lives by encouraging, supporting, and delivering art and cultural opportunities. It is the umbrella group for over 23 member groups and provides a network to connect with other groups and like-minded individuals, while educating our community about the arts. The Arts Council leads such projects as the flower pot auction, Art in the Park, Art the Moves You, Crushed Grapes, and Elves Christmas, in addition to it’s other work that has assisted in our community receiving National and International attention.
Lisa Bush, President of the Fort St John Community Arts Council, is the winner of the 2008 Volunteer Organization of the Year Award.
Artist of the Year Award - Sponsored by The Bear
Cindy Vincent is a long time artist in the community of Fort St John, and has recently begun to distribute her work of art, titled, The Autumn Bear. This children’s book exposes children to beautiful artwork in a medium to with they are most comfortable. Truthfully, The Autumn Bear is enchanting for both children and adults alike!
Cindy’s contributions to the annual art auction fetch high prices, and are valued by eager bidders. A self taught and natural artist, Cindy Vincent is the complete package.
Art and Cultural Person of the Year Award - Sponsored by the City of Fort St. John
This award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in our community through artistic and/or cultural efforts. These are individuals who have dedicated their time encouraging pride in their culture or the community’s cultural or historical background, or someone, through their contribution in Art, have increased opportunities for local residents or encouraged others to give of themselves for the betterment of the community.
This year’s 2008 Art and Cultural Person of the year award goes to Margaret Cavers May.
Margaret has been a Fort St John resident since she was born. She calls herself a “doodler” and has fulfilled her creative interests by drawing, painting, pottery, and silk screening at Northern Lights College. Margaret is responsible for some of the fantastic murals you see at the gymnastics club, Kin Park ball diamonds, CM Finch school exterior, the Fort St John & District Hospital , the Strong Start Program at Duncan Cran and in numerous private homes. In addition to her own work, she volunteers her time on the Northern Dance Theatre Society, Fort St John Community Arts Council, and the Peace River North Festival.
Margaret Cavers May is an inspiration to others because she chooses to give back to benefit young people, without expecting anything in return. She has given her talents to beautify our City as well as inspire our youth.
Corporate Environmental Benefactor of the Year Award - Sponsored by Sci-Tech
The Environmental Benefactor of the Year Award recognizes special contributions of an individual or non-profit organization that has made an outstanding contribution towards promoting or facilitating waste reduction, recycling and/or resource conservation the community. They are innovative and progressive in their efforts and act as role models to others. They have taken an active role to encourage others to reduce their waste for the overall betterment of the community.
Since taking on recycling collection in 2007, the Eco Depot has provided a valuable service to the community by providing convenient, centrally located site for residents and businesses to drop off their recyclable materials paired with a friendly smile in a clean and well organized environment.
Starting off with 3 staff, the Eco Depot now employs 8 full time staff as well as 3 part time staff from the Association for Community Living. The Eco Depot is an inspiration to others in how to be a leader in recycling in our community.
Making a Difference Award - Sponsored by Success by 6
The Making a Difference Award is not a traditional award offered by many communities. This award is given to an individual who serves as an advocate for the well being of children in Fort St John , either through a professional or volunteer position. They demonstrate a genuine commitment to providing a better future for children, works with others to raise awareness about children’s issues, believes in building strong families, and demonstrates leadership in the community that has a positive impact on the lives of young children.
This categoty has two winners, who worked together to make Fort St John a better place for our families. Paul Von Nostrand and Ben Mitchell Banks really have made a difference over the past year in Fort St John . Paul & Ben showed incredible leadership as Co-Presidents of the 2007 Northern BC Winter Games by steering a committee of Directors to bring the Games to Fort St John . The task of coordinating hundreds of coaches and athletes, raising thousands of dollars, managing multiple venues and establishing lasting legacies for our community was done with great professionalism.
Paul & Ben have been very active throughout the years through coaching and community involvement. The success of the Games, as well as the many other events they are involved in, allowed local families and young athletes create lasting friendships and memories.
Accessibility Award - Sponsored by North Peace Savings and Credit Union
The Accessibility Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments of individuals, businesses or non-profit organizations that results in greater opportunities for persons with disabilities within the City of Fort St. John . It recognizes initiatives that serve to reduce barriers, both social and physical, for people with disabilities. This may include work in:
- promoting the awareness of accessibility in the community
- demonstrating initiative through innovative measures, renovation, improvements, etc. that reduce barriers for people with disabilities
- innovative plans for new construction.
Lori Slater has been referred to as the “poster girl for people with disabilities”. As she gradually lost mobility Lori became acutely aware for the need for things such as curb cuts, ramps, and accessible washrooms. She has done more to raise awareness in our community about issues of inclusion for the disabled than anyone else. She serves on the Rick Hansen Foundation assisting in many areas including the Wheels in Motion and as an Ambassador. She is the Chair of the Mayor’s Disability Advisory Council in Fort St John , and is a liaison for the Measuring Up the North Committee, and serves on the BC Paraplegic association’s Board of Directors.
Lori Slater has worked to help improve the quality of life of local people with disabilities and continues to share her abilities across the province.
Youth Female Athlete of the Year Award - Sponsored by the City of Fort St. John
There were several categories for the 2008 Athlete of the Year. However, we only received nominations, in the category of Youth Female. This year’s award winner is Cassandra Baker.
Cassandra swims in our local Inconnu Swim club. At 15, Cassandra has completed an enormous amount of mental and physical training.
In March of this year, Cansandra attended the T.A.S. BC Provincial AAA championships in Victoria . There she won 8 gold and 2 bronze medals. She also earned an invitation to the Olympic trials in Montreal which were held last month. While this young athlete did not secure a spot on the 2008 Olympic team, we are very confident that she will be representing Canada at the 2012 Olympics. She is currently ranked in 1st place in the BC Short Course Girls 15 age category in both the 50 metre freestyle and the 100 metre backstroke.
Environmental Benefactor of the Year Award - Sponsored by the City of Fort St. John
This award recognizes special contributions of an individual or non-profit organization that has made an outstanding contribution towards promoting or facilitating waste reduction, recycling and/or resource conservation in the community. They are innovative and progressive in their efforts and act as role models to others. They have taken an active role to encourage others to reduce their waste for the overall betterment of the community. This is different than the corporate award previously won by the Eco Depot, because this award is specific to a single person or not for profit organization.
Lindsay Heale took the initiative to grab an idea and run with it, ultimately creating the Eco Depot. She did what she could to create change by acting as an advocate for recycling initiatives in our community. She wrote letters, contacted City Hall, and coordinated a team of business partners and staff that have been very successful in our community.
Mayor's Awards of Excellence - Sponsored by the City of Fort St. John
Mr. Denny Morrison
Denny has been a member of the Canadian National Speed Skating team for the last 4 years. He currently trains in Calgary but he got his start at the ripe old age of 3, right here in Fort St John and continues to call this home. At the 2006 winter Olympics held in Torino , Italy , Denny won a silver medal in the relay event.
This season could hardly have ended any better for him. At the last competition of the season he raced to a stunning new world record in the 1500 metre at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, and the weekend before that he won the world title in the same distance at the World Single Distances Championship in Nagano. Denny has certainly acted as an ambassador for Fort St John throughout Canada and the world.
Ms. Margaret Miller
Our local SPCA could not do without Margaret Miller. For over 20 years she has been volunteering at the SPCA. Her strength is her ability to manage finances. You could ask her how much they spent on dog food in 1995 and she would refer to her notebook and find the information immediately.
In addition to her financial acumen, she has always been there when needed. She has been at almost every fundraiser and she continues, to this day, to act as the financial advisor for the organization. At times, the SPCA was down to three members but Marg was always there.
Marg volunteers with the Historical Society, the Hospital Auxiliary, the SPCA, and is certainly deserving for her longtime service to our community.
Carolyn Krause
Carolyn works with the Fort St John Huskies and the Huskies Fill the Bus Campaign. Each year, Carolyn recruits the team to trade in their skates for snow boots and heads out for their ‘Fill the Bus’ campaign in support of the Salvation Army Food Bank. This program has become enormously successful and Carolyn is certainly deserving of recognition for her tireless efforts through the years.
Mrs. Kathy Thorlakson.
Kathy Thorlakson is very popular with our local seniors. Kathy has dedicated her working life for the last 28 years and her volunteer time in the service of the seniors of Fort St. John and area. Since starting to work at the Care Home in 1980 in various capacities, most recently as activity director, Kathy has not only made it her work but her passion.
Kathy has been a volunteer on the North Peace Care Home Auxiliary, Alzheimer’s Family Support Group and with the BC Nurse’s Union. She is a community model we should all aspire to emulate.
Mr. Dennis Trout
Mr. Trout volunteers his craftsmanship with good humor and endless patience. Over the past 9 years, Dennis has built wooden structures for the Western Themed Art Auction, volunteered at all 8 Chocolate Festivals as a spotter, a ticket seller at the last 9 Art Auctions, and so much more. Dennis has never said no and can be described as a silent partner in which PAGS or the Arts community is involved.
Mr. Cole Bushe and his team at Eagle Vision
Eagle Vision has been a critical component to assisting the City to enter provincial and national media markets, as well as increase our professionalism all around. Cole works diligently to not only promote our City, but the entire peace region. He and his staff have received 7 different awards of recognition in including international awards.
Moose FM
The crew at Moose FM continually go above and beyond to make sure our community events and non profit organizations get the promotion they deserve, without the added cost. Often they partner with organizations for profit. But more often, they partner to assist each group or cause in getting the best response or raising the most money they can. Moose FM is always community minded, and each group in the room tonight can appreciate why they are a 2008 recipient.
Mrs. Joan Patterson
Joan Patterson has been a very dedicated volunteer and director for the Fort St. John North Peace Museum for 20 years. She is also the Treasurer for the North Peace Historical Society.
Joan freely volunteers her time for many jobs at the museum and in the museum yard. Most Saturday’s you will find Joan at the Fort St. John museum volunteering.
Joan is wonderful asset for the North Peace Historical Society and the Fort St. John community.
The Painter and Brown Families
Excerpts from a letter we received during the nomination process from a local boy:
He wrote, “Some of our friends from the community had been informed of the mold problem that we had inside the walls. The mold made me sick in our home and my family couldn’t afford to do the work ourselves. Lester Brown, Joan Brown, Dalton , Kory and Devon Brown, ED & Carol Paynter, Dylan Painter and Devon Brown took on an enormous project. For five weeks they rebuilt all the walls and re-insulated them. My roof had been replaced, my windows, doors – it was sweet. Best part is, they didn’t even charge us for anything”
Kimmie Gullevich
Kimmie Gullevich represented our science fair region at the Canada wide Science Fair in Saguenay , Quebec in 2006 and Toro , Nova Scotia in 2007.
The government of Canada sponsors students to travel to international competitions. Successful applicants must have qualified by attending at least 2 national events. This year Kimmie was the successful applicant and again she represented this region by traveling to Taiwan to compete at the Taiwan International Science Fair in February.
She presented her bio diesel project, “Bio Diesel - Does it Make Cents?” at the Taiwan fair where she won a bronze medal.
Kimmie is 16 year grade 10 student at Dr. Kearney and is a wonderful young ambassador for our community.
|
