The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to Jody Woodford of Coalmont on Friday, Jan. 24 in Victoria at Government House.
Woodford is being honoured for her dedication and service to the Coalmont/Tulameen Fire Department.
“Jody Woodford joined the Coalmont/Tulameen Volunteer Fire Department in 1998 and became Fire Chief in 2008. Through her work, she has put the department on a sound financial footing and enabled it to respond to a variety of crisis situations. Her unpaid efforts as a volunteer firefighter lift spirits in times of crisis.”
Whether it be a celebration like Tulameen Days or crises like the flood in Tulameen during April of 2012, or the fire at the Coalmont Hotel earlier this month, Woodford pitches in and does all she can and often, pushes her limits to go above and beyond. During the flood, she worked 18 hour days to ensure members of the community of Tulameen were protected, and had food and water. (She sandbagged for hours on end and then would open the firehall to feed folks as well.)
Woodford is also well respected and appreciated for her dedication to the Princeton Exhibition Grounds (PXA) and the groups that hold their events there each year. She is known for her tireless dedication through the years, always giving of herself and of her time to whatever needs to be done in the community.
The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award was created in 1995. When the Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc became Governor General of Canada, he was determined to thank the thousands of caring people—the unsung heroes who volunteer their time, their efforts and a great deal of their lives to helping others, and who ask for nothing in return.
If you know a friend, neighbour or member of your community who deserves this unique award, please share their stories by completing a nomination form at www.gg.ca/caring.
