Comox Valley volunteer Helen Boyd was among 32 British Columbians honoured Friday at the 10th annual British Columbia Community Achievement Awards’ ceremony at Government House in Victoria.
As a nurse and counsellor, Boyd addressed health and support issues for the homeless in the Comox Valley by spearheading the creation of the Care-A-Van.
The RV outfitted as a clinic follows a regular route around the region providing confidential and respectful care to those who are without addresses and telephones. The van provides services such as medical and dental care, psychotherapy, pharmacy and optometry, all under the auspices of the Comox Bay Care Society. Lieut.-Gov. Judith Guichon and Ida Chong, minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliation presented each recipient with a BC Community Achievement Award medallion and certificate. Chair Keith Mitchell, QC represented the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, the award’s presenting organization.
“They are citizens from all over the province whose contributions, leadership and inspiration have helped to make their British Columbia communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, healthy and unique,” said Chong, also a board member of the BC Achievement Foundation.
“What they all have in common is a passion for the people and places where they live and a strong commitment to making a difference. ”
A list of the recipients and a brief summary of their achievements can be found at www.bcachievement.com.
An independent advisory council selects the recipients of the British Columbia Community Achievement Awards. This year’s council members are Mayor Mike Clay of Port Moody, Mayor Shari Green of Prince George, and past recipients Don Montgomery of Richmond (2009), Joyce Carlson of Powell River (2009) and Jane Frost of Vancouver (2006).
The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is an independent foundation established and endowed by the province of B.C. to celebrate excellence in the arts, humanities, enterprise and community service.
Launched in 2003, the awards were the first initiative of the foundation, followed by the B.C. Creative Achievement Award for Applied Art and Design, B.C.’s National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, the B.C. Creative Achievement Award for First Nations’ Art, and the B.C. Aboriginal Business Awards.
— British Columbia Community Achievement Foundation
