Issuu

Person’s Name

2015

Community Leader

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Awards

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Person’s Name

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CAPITAL news

2015 Community Leader Awards They are not often recognized and all feel there are others more deserving… these are true

Community Leaders CONGRATULATIONS to the 2015 RECIPIENTS • Publisher: Karen Hill • Editor: Barry Gerding • Sales Lead: Dennis Gabelhouse • Creative Services Manager: Tessa Ringness • Creative Designer: Nancy Blow • Photogrpahy: Kevin Parnell & Barry Gerding • Distribution Manager: Glenn Beaudry •

I count myself lucky to live in such a beautiful place and am extremely thankful for the individuals in the Central Okanagan that go above and beyond to make this one of the best communities. These individuals do a great deal of work that often goes unrecognized providing much needed services to many organization in & around our community. These people are truly community leaders and can often be found volunteering in our schools, coaching on a sports field, providing care to those less fortunate or behind the scenes of local events that take place in & around our community. Many of these wonderful people have families of their own but still find the time to make a difference by sharing their empathy, enthusiasm, inspiration and energy. The Community Leader Awards was created to recognize and honour the commitment and efforts that are essential to maintaining this growing community. Some of these stories will tug at your heartstrings, others will bring

a smile to your face, I guarantee every one will leave you feeling grateful that we have dedicated community volunteers! As you read through this section I am hopeful that you will feel inspired and be encouraged to ask yourself, “What more could I do?” Many of our readers nominated individuals this year and for that I am very grateful. I want to thank our community partners for all their efforts in bringing forward nominees and then coming together to select the 31 outstanding honourees featured in this section. This was no easy task as every nominee was deserving of this recognition. A huge thank you to our sponsors for helping us honour the wonderful individuals whose stories we are about to share with you.

2014 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2014

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Nomination

Categories:

■ Coach

■ Youth Volunteer

Makes a positive contribution to their sport. Is exemplary in developing skills and confidence in participants. A role model who inspires and encourages high athletic achievement.

Makes a positive contribution to youth in the community. Someone who is depended upon and committed to provide direction, programs and/or support to ensure our youth have positive experiences.

■ Mentor

■ Emergency Service

Makes a positive contribution by being a true leader. An influential counselor, teacher or educator that provides support or sponsorship. Demonstrates a high level of ethics and professional standards, is an inspirational motivator, excellent communicator, good listener and a reliable resource to the community.

Makes a positive contribution to the community by going the extra mile – over and above the call of duty. Is exemplary in the area of emergency services and unselfishly shoulders enormous responsibility while accepting the potential risks and challenges of the job.

■ Service Organization Volunteer

■ Environmental Leader Makes a positive contribution to the community by championing environmentally friendly initiatives. Someone who inspires others to be “green” by being a leader in ecologically sound practices.

■ Community Builder

Someone who has taken the initiative to engage a variety of local residents in an This person has risen above adversity or formidainnovative or new community ble challenges to become a success. As a result, they project or event. The initiative have had a positive effect on the people around may assist different them. groups to work together, address a gap in ■ Above & Beyond ■ Volunteer community participation, This person makes a positive contribution to This individual makes a positive contribution or result in a more their community through their work. Someone to the community by volunteering their time to a inclusive, engaged who goes beyond the requirements of their job to variety of causes. They are dedicated to making a community. Kelowna Newsdifference Ad2 Augin2015 Rough 2 • Size: 9.25” wide x 5.25” high • Aug 26/15 support the community andCOF make it a betterCap place. several• initiatives.

■ Courage

This individual makes a positive contribution to the community by volunteering their time to one community service organization. This person is well thought of and is significantly relied upon by others in the organization.

The Central Okanagan Foundation celebrates those individuals who help build our community through their inspired leadership.

To learn more about COF, visit www.centralokanaganfoundation.org ENDOWMENTS • GRANTS • COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

2015 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2015

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TO ALL OUR

community leaders YOU MAKE KE LOW N A

FOR GAME TICKETS VISIT SELECTYOURTICKETS.COM OR CALL 250 762 5050

2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Lorena Mead

“Seeing them succeed and their accomplishments, that’s the reward for me.” Lorena’s commitment is outstanding—conducting three practices a week, shopping for the team, travelling to Toronto to attends meetings for the organization, and acting as driver for the players. Thanks to people like Lorena and the hard work of the players, the Grizzlies will become the first B.C. team ever to be inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame. Lorena is not only an inspiration to her players but to those who know and love her.

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Coach

Many local heroes go unnoticed. Most heroes don’t do what they do for accolades, they do it because they genuinely care. Lorena is a lady who has cared for, coached, embraced and loved each and every one of her players for the past 25 years. As one of the coaches for the Kelowna Grizzlies Special Olympics Softball team, she gives her heart and soul each and every season. The Grizzlies have been to three Special Olympics World Games: 1999 in North Carolina where they won gold; 2011 in Greece where they won silver; and this year in Los Angeles where the B.C. team won the bronze medal. As a coach, Lorena maximizes the player’s potential, and helps the player see his or her strengths, even when the going gets tough. She helps them play big and enjoy the journey, and shows the players it’s not simply about winning but also becoming his or her best. “I do it because I love it,” Lorena said. “You’re not just teaching them softball, you’re teaching them about life skills, about exercise and being healthy.

Laurie Denton

As a Registered Nurse who has worked in the field of human services for 30 years, Laurie Denton has assisted many people to enjoy better quality lives. For the last two decades, she has specialized in direct services for adults with acquired brain injury, both in frontline and management positions. In her current position with BrainTrust Canada, Laurie has helped to improve the lives of many, including Cyndee MacLeod. In 1992, MacLeod was involved in a serious car accident and suffered both spinal cord and brain injuries. MacLeod could neither walk nor speak, spent more than two years in hospital and found herself having to start all over. In 2000, Laurie began working with MacLeod and helped her turn her life around. MacLeod is now fully self-sufficient, cares for herself and even drives a car. “Laurie was significant in my life,” said MacLeod, now 55. “She was like my mom, she was with me through some hard times and helped me get moving in the right direction. “It was a paid job for her, but she went above and beyond…she really cared,” said MacLeod. “I’m grateful to Laurie for everything.” Now nearing her 15th year with the not-for-profit organization, BrainTrust Canada, Laurie supervises a team of 10 staff who provide a wide range of support services for adults with acquired brain injury and their families. Laurie is passionate about not only providing therapeutic interventions for people with ABI but about improving the quality of life and life satisfaction of the people she supports.

Category Sponsored by:

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s u f o l l A

have the drive inside to achieve more. Even as young children, we know we are made for something

bigger.

At the YMCA, we believe everyone has a vital role to play in positively impacting todayâ€™s youth and we proudly support individuals and organizations who are helping our young people reach their full potential.

The YMCA of Okanagan is delighted to sponsor the Mentorship category and congratulates all Community Leader Award winners and nominees.

YMCA of Okanagan

ymcaokanagan.ca Charity Registration # 11924 0224 RR0001

2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Laura Thurnheer Laura Thurnheer is a strong business leader in the Okanagan with a passion for the community and non-profit sector. A respected professor at Okanagan College’s School of Business, Thurnheer was elected by faculty to take on the position of the Business Department Chair. Above her multifaceted responsibilities, she mentors students through coaching business competitions and advising student associations. She also participates in various committees and boards across the Okanagan. She takes her passion, dedication, and strong leadership skills to a variety of non-profit organizations, illustrating her dedication to creating a positive impact on the community. Laura’s work ethic, focus, and passion for our community are inspiring.

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Tracy Ross

Colleen Keeler

“Why wouldn’t you want to show the world the best YOU, you can be?” - Tracy Ross This is a philosophy that Ross communicates to every student she works with in the Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre program. Her talents in her own right is as an actor, singer, dancer, writer, producer and director, yet her greatest talent may be as a mentor to youth and adults in our community. Her mandate has always been to engage and empower youth and adults, to help them develop the skills necessary to masterfully succeed in any part of the theatre/arts community and in their lives in general. She is an educator who ultimately teaches more than just theatre. In addition to her role as artistic director of Bumbershoot, Ross helms an Excellence in the Arts and Residency program where she collaborates with teachers and students. She has also teamed up with the Okanagan Symphony and created Okanagan Sound Play, which has led to some youth composing and performing original music. Ross treasures the opportunity to make a connection with youth. “We live in a world of possibilities, and there are so many possibilities out there for young people,” Ross said. She also acknowledges many of her own mentors and supporters, from the theatre community in Vancouver to her current Bumbershoot staff associates and long-time local theatre guru Neil Facey for any positive feedback coming her way. Tracy Ross is an incredible mentor to youth and adults alike. Through her encouragement, passion and commitment, she empowers everyone she works with. She is someone who changes lives.

Colleen Keeler identifies her passion in life as working with and for children. Keeler has been working as an early childhood educator for 20 years, the last decade specifically with the Central Okanagan YMCA to establish early childhood centres in Kelowna before recently moving on to a new task of overseeing early childhood education Y programs in West Kelowna. “My focus has changed over the years from working with children directly to setting up high quality learning centres for children,” Keeler said. “I get a lot of satisfaction from setting up education programs for children that they really benefit from, and seeing the appreciation and relief of parents to know their children are able to have a great experience at a childcare facility or preschool program,” she said. Keeler says today, the trend is swinging back to the belief that children learn best through play. “That is what brain development research is concluding and it’s what we been doing at the Y for some time now so we’ve been ahead of the pack on that philisophical shift,” she said. Keeler has played a significant role in ensuring gentle care and learning to many of our young minds in Kelowna.

Mentor

“I am very pleased to be recognized in the mentor category as I do try to be a mentor to those around me whether they are my peers, other professional women, younger business colleagues or my students,” Thurnheer said. “I realized a few years back that this was an area I cared deeply about and have been fortunate to be able to provide support to many members of our community in my many different roles. “I have also received a great deal back as often the support is flipped and others end up mentoring and supporting me. That is when you know you have developed a special, long- term relationship. ”

Category Sponsored by:

YMCA o Okanag YMCA of Okanagan

2015 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2015

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Proud

supporter We are strong believers in giving back to the communities we serve to make them a better place for everyone. Congratulations to all the Community Leader Award nominees who make a difference in our community.

londondrugs.com

2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Jason McIntosh

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Ralph Morrison

Michele Rule

Born and raised in Kelowna, Ralph Morrison has risen above the effects of bullying. His journey to deal with that issue from his youth has led him on a path across Canada and authoring the book “The Fear Inside,” with a second book written but not yet published and a third book in the works. The Fear Inside was Morrison’s attempt to empower individuals who struggle with bullying on a daily basis, to overcome that obstacle in their lives. His words proved effective and had an impact on those who identified with Morrison’s childhood experiences, finding a voice who offered compassion and recognition of their pain and frustration. “I am a person who follows his heart and my heart was telling me to try and do more to help others,” Morrison said. “I’m a pretty humble guy on the outside, so I wasn’t expecting to get this kind of recognition. On the inside, my heart has a huge smile.” Morrison resides in Kelowna, and has worked in the construction industry for the past 25 years, when he’s not writing a book. In 2014, Morrison took his story across Canada. With the support of others he traveled cross country via truck and camper, speaking to as many groups about bullying as he could. His goal was to help others when and where he could, hoping to make a difference in people’s lives, even just one person at a time. Morrison says his ultimate goal is to open up a discussion about how we treat each other, how we can do better. If you read some of Ralph Morrison’s Facebook posts, you will see how many lives he has touched already.

Michele Rule is the personification of courage and serves as an inspiration for others. Those characteristics are reflected in her current and past volunteer support for local community groups, her time serving as an elected Kelowna city councilor and her current battle with a brain nerve illness that has affected her own quality of life. Rule suffers from a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia, nerve damage on the right side of her brain, the painful symptoms of which she began to experience in August of last year. “There are six different variations of this disorder and I have what is called an atypical version,” she explained. Doctors can’t explain why she has the disorder and she is searching to find a surgeon in Canada with the skills to carry out a sensitive operation to relieve the pain and discomfort. Rule has made contact with a Winnipeg surgeon who has some experience with the operation she needs. She says the medications she takes are not a long-term solution because of the side effects. But in keeping with Rule’s outlook, she continues to give what time she can to the Central Okanagan Heritage Foundation advisory committee and the Central Okanagan Women’s Resource and Education Foundation. Given her current health condition, she is also helping to promote International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day, taking place Oct. 7. Her friend Avril Paice, with the Central Okanagan United Way, notes that despite her illness, Rule has shown tremendous courage in keeping her spirits up and moving forward in search of recovering her quality of life. “She is an inspiration to many people.”

Courage

Life for Jason McIntosh seemed normal, balanced and successful. Happy with his career and home, he had many good friends, lots of interests and a supportive family. There was no external reason he could blame for feeling as badly as he felt inside. Then life threw some unexpected problems in his way, and he began to withdraw from relationships and his interests. Bad weeks turned into bad months, to the point where six years ago he had lost everything he valued in his life—no job, no friends, no interests and facing eviction from his home. For four years he hid from the world. Every person has a limit to how much internal pain they can endure, and he realized that his limit was getting close, so with the support of his family he surrendered to his frustrations and sought help. McIntosh began participating in the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna branch’s wellness programs. Listening to others share their most intimate thoughts and deepest emotions despite their own fears was a revelation and an inspiration for him, as was seeing those expressed feelings reciprocated with non-judgemental empathy and compassion. Two years ago, McIntosh expanded his participation with CMHA and became a volunteer peer mentor, applying what he had learned to help others. This May, he joined the CMHA branch staff as a wellness coach. “Jason inspires us all,” said Sharai Slattery, with CMHA. “His caring and compassionate nature along with his values and philosophy on recovery and wellness are having a positive impact on all who know him. Jason is the epitome of courage.”

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR: Patrick

Barton

Barton is now a director with the BC Burn Fund which is in the process of building a permanent home in Kelowna to meet a shortfall in patient accommodation. Kelowna firefighters, with Barton as the driving force, have raised $189,467.20 in the past five years including $100,000 to go towards the new building.

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Shannon Paul-Jost

Alf Roshinsky

As soon as Shannon Paul-Jost came to the Central Okanagan in 2009, she started helping people. A registered nurse by profession, one of the first things she did was start an exercise and education program for seniors in West Kelowna. Now living in Lake Country and working full time in Vernon, PaulJost has become an integral part of the community in Lake Country, fighting to bring more health services to the community, through the Lake Country Health Planning Society, of which she joined in 2013 and now serves as president. The group has brought many services to Lake Country including an elder abuse tool kit, a directory of health services, an annual health and wellness fair and a Better at Home program for seniors. Paul-Jost works in Vernon as a primary care coordinator overseeing the diabetes education centre as well as downtown Vernon primary care and the Enderby Community Health Centre. Her busy career means many of her volunteer hours come during the weekend and evenings. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Volunteering is a way to get to know my community in a different way,” she said. “It’s a way to give back. Lake Country has been very good to my husband and me, and I feel like I have some knowledge and skill that can be put to good use. It’s a lot of evenings and weekends and early mornings. You have to have a great team around you and I have a wonderful, wonderful board that is willing to step in and help out.”

As the Rutland Centennial Hall comes up on its 50th anniversary in two years time, many people have come and gone, building the hall up into what is is today. For the past 15 years there has been one man who has dedicated his life to making sure things get done and are done well. That’s Hall manager Alf Roshinsky. His passion for people and the way he makes everyone feel welcome has made Roshinsky a major asset. “I do this because I like doing it,” said Roshinsky matter-of-factly. “This is basically my social life and it’s nice to be a part of. It’s a blue collar community which I like. People are unpretentious. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people over the years and met a lot of friends. We’ve been through a lot of changes and we have a bunch of good people who work hard.” Roshinsky, who at 78 says he isn’t close to retiring, is more than just the hall manager. He knows the building inside and out. He isn’t in it for the money or the glory and he isn’t comfortable talking about himself, but those who work around him say he is everybody’s friend and works harder than most. He may not be comfortable talking about what he does, but Alf Roshinsky shows his love for the community of Rutland with his work at Rutland Centennial Hall and the community it serves.

Above & Beyond

Kelowna firefighter Patrick Barton has been helping to save structures and assist Kelowna residents since becoming as a volunteer firefighter more than 20 years ago. In 2004 Barton became a career firefighter with the Kelowna Fire Department, diving into a variety of good causes the Kelowna Fire Fighters Charitable Society supports, which donates thousands of dollars back into the community every year. in 2010 Barton became involved in the Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, becoming a camp councillor at the provincial burn camp, a retreat for burn survivors to spend time with their peers. “Some of these kids come from horrific backgrounds, not just burns but physical and emotional torment,” he said. “This is one week they can come and be themselves. They can take their shirts off and show their scars. They wear them like a badge instead of being embarrassed. When you see those kids and how far they come year after year…they just flourish.”

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Catherine Williams

“You make a living by what you do. You make a life by what you do,” she said, loosely quoting Winston Churchill. “To be part of a community and not do anything, I don’t understand that.” Catherine also educates volunteers for the BC Justice Institute and volunteers at Kelowna General Hospital. Her efforts have earned her praise in the past. Before receiving the Community Leader’s Award, she was the third person to ever receive Okanagan College’s Distinguished Service Award in 2014. It is bestowed on employees who have given outstanding service to the community.

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Dr. Moshe Oz

Kelowna Detachment:

If there’s ever an animal in need, Kelowna residents know who to turn to. The name Dr. Moshe Oz has become synonymous with generosity and compassion when it comes to the needs of our four-legged companions.

Auxilliary Constable Program

In addition to his practice at Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital, where he often treats abandoned animals at his own cost, Dr. Oz offers his clinic to house animals during emergency evacuations. As to why he gives so freely, he said simply, “in order to take you have to give.” “It’s part of what my wife and I do,” he said. “From day one with our practice, we decided if there was ever a need for people and their animals, we would try and do our best to help. It’s a crucial part of being part of a community.” Dr. Oz moved to Kelowna six years ago. He was born and raised in Israel, and graduated with honours in 2006 from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Slovakia. He and his wife Noa moved to Canada soon after and first worked at Penticton Veterinary Hospital. In December 2008 he became a father to a baby boy named Lee, then in April 2010 he and Noa became the owners of Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital. Their family now includes another son, Eli, and their adorable Schnauzer, Zuza. In his spare time Moshe enjoys spending time with his family and training for triathlons including the Ironman races in which he has attended every year since 2008.

The award is designed for an individual, but the Kelowna Detachment Auxiliary Constable Program is so important to our community that its volunteers are being honoured as a group. Almost 70 members strong, there’s not a chink in their collective armour when it comes to ensuring that the gaps in the community are met. They work tirelessly, day in and day out, with the sole purpose of ensuring that Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country residents have a safe place to call home. During 2014 alone, they contributed more than 16,000 hours of volunteer time. They freely take time away from their jobs and families to assist the community in a number of ways, from being on hand in civil emergencies, at crime scenes, or even speaking at events aimed at educating everyone from school children or the business community on crime prevention. “Their dedication to the program and their community is undeniable and should be recognized,” said special programs co-ordinator Bill Ginny.

Emergency Services

Whether it’s a single family house-fire or a 500 acre forest fire, as the current volunteer Emergency Social Service Director for the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Catherine Williams has been on call every hour of every day for the last 11 years. Her support for the community and commitment to volunteering started more than 30 years ago in her role as the Safety Officer at Okanagan College. During the 2003 Okanagan Firestorm, Catherine was a volunteer and since 2004 has been the Director of Emergency Social Services since 2011. Her extensive emergency service knowledge, professionalism and passion for giving back to her community are the skills that have successfully led her teams in evacuating and caring for Kelowna residents in harm’s way. When asked by a national news publication why she volunteered her time, she laughed and repeated a quote she finds inspiration in.

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Community Leaders Coach

Gavin Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets; Lorena Mead; Laurie Denton; Cyndee MacLeod; Anne-Marie Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets

Mentor

Dave Cronquist, YMCA; Colleen Keeler; Laura Thurnheer; Rachel Neufeld (accepting for Tracy Ross)

Courage

Above and Beyond

Heather Burbine, London Drugs; John Pereira, London Drugs; Ralph Morrison; Michele Rule; Jason McIntosh; Shannon Hubick, London Drugs

Ken Kroeker, Nurse Next Door; Shannon Paul-Jost; Patrick Barton; Alf Roshinsky; Nicole Blomerus, Nurse Next Door

Proud Community Supporters Serving Kelowna, West Kelowna, Merritt And Princeton B.C. Dispatch: 1-888-292-1581 www.marios-towing.com

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Community Leaders Emergency Services Volunteer

Service Organization Volunteer

Holding the awards: Catherine Williams; Dr. Moshe Oz; Donna Jansons, representing the Kelowna Detachment Auxiliary Constable Program; Presenter - Doug Rankmore, Okanagan College

Margie Cox; Shirley Schmidt; Terry Scott; Dennis MacLeod, The Co-Operators Solve Insurance

Volunteer

Barbie Ross; Maxine Harder; Rosslyn Ellett; Adrienne Skinner, UBCO

Youth Volunteer

Rick Potter; Joe Mahovlich (accepting for Stacey Smith); Ester Pajk; Laura Thurnheer, United Way

THE SECOND ANNUAL

Community Leaders Awards was held on

Monday, September 21, 2015 at

Okanagan College’s Centre for Learning.

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September 21, 2015: A celebration of ordinary people making extraordinary contributions to our community Community Leader honourees were recognized at this festive evening of food, music and refreshment. If you know of an outstanding person whose contributions make a difference in the community, plan to nominate him or her in one of the categories for the

Community Leader Awards 2016.

Z16 2015 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2015

2014 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2015 Z17

Community Leader Awards 2016.

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Community Leaders Environmental Leader

Community Builder

Don Gandy, Save On Foods; Don Elzer; Bob Purdy; Isabel Pritchard (accepting for herself and Penny Gubbels); Tamara Wheeler, Save On Foods

JC Braconnier; Michael Lavigne; Peter Lees; Gene Creelman, Interior Savings

Leader of the Year ~ Marion Sallenbach ~

Heather Schneider, Okanagan College; Marion Sallenbach.

2014 Community Leader Awards | October 2, 2015 Z19

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2015 Community Leader Awards

Thank You!

The

CAPITAL news is grateful for the support of these sponsors who share our sense of pride in the community we all call home.

YMCA of Okanagan

United Way

Standing tall together!

Central & South Okanagan Similkameen Change starts here.

Thanks also to our Community Partners and Judging Panel 102 â€“ 2055 Benvoulin Court Kelowna, BC V1W 2C7

YMCA of Okanagan

of the Central and South Okanagan / Similkameen

We couldnâ€™t have done it without you! of the Central and South Okanagan / Similkameen

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Proud to support Proud to support Proud to support our community. Proud to support Proud to support our community. our community. our community. our community.

We’re committed to helping out where we can, and proud to support initiatives that make a difference the community. We’re committed to helping outinwhere we can, and proud to

support

initiatives that make a difference community. We’re committed to helping out whereinwethe can, and proud to support We’re committed to helping out where we can, and proud to support We’re committed to helping out where can, and proud to support initiatives that make a difference thewecommunity. initiatives that make in a difference in the community. initiatives that make a difference in the community. Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Shirley Schmidt

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Margie Cox

Terry Scott

Ask Margie Cox why she spends thousands of hours per year volunteering to help others in the community when she could be enjoying her retirement after a long and busy career working for Telus, and her answer is simple: “I want to help people in my community.” Cox volunteers in the kitchen at the Salvation Army Centre in Rutland, is a Telus Ambassador volunteer, and is part of a team that maintains and works in the Salvation Army’s mobile kitchen. The mobile kitchen provides food for emergency workers responding to events in the community such as forest fires and floods. According to her nominator, Laurel D’Andrea, Cox is a treasure to firefighters, police officers and paramedics. The 72-year-old Cox has recorded a phenomenal 6,500 hours of volunteer time, 1,500 hours alone last year. That’s more than 28 hours per week—three-quarters of a full-time job! Cox also volunteers her talents as a face painter to help numerous local fundraising endeavours, sells raffle tickets, and pitches in whenever, and wherever, she is asked. In D’Andrea’s words Cox is “not famous, not worldly and not in the pubic eye. She is humble, caring, loving and gives for one simple reason— because she genuinely cares.” And what does the lady herself get out of her volunteer work? “Satisfaction that someone has a nice warm meal when they need it,” says Cox with a smile.

Terry Scott says when he went looking for a place to volunteer his time back in 2009 after retiring to Kelonwa following a long career in the RCMP, the Gospel Mission seemed like the perfect fit. Throughout his policing career, volunteer work was a constant. But it was when he was stationed in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories that he really started to become aware of the problems of addiction and substance abuse, issues that often play a part in the lives of many clients who use the Gospel Mission’s services. With the perfect background to help deal with people on the street, Scott has become a fixture as a volunteer at the Mission and is one the frontline workers dealing with clients. “You get a really good sense of humility,” he says about the rewards of the volunteer work he does. Starting out in guest services at the Mission, helping clients access a variety of services, Scott is what Mission officials call a “high-impact” volunteer, someone who can step in and lead a volunteer team and run the shelter if needed. “He’s an amazing ambassador for the Mission,” says his nominator Sonya Menyes. “Leading tours, leading groups that have come to volunteer for the day, manning a table at the (annual Kelowna) volunteer fair and being an encouragement to our staff and guests alike.”

Service Organization Volunteer

Shirley Schmidt is a busy lady. A decorated veteran, at 84 years of age she shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to her volunteer work with a variety of causes throughout the commmunity. Over the last six years, she has taken on the role of caregiver for many other veterans and seniors in the community, as well as being an advocate for them when needed. Described as an extraordinary Royal Canadian Legion volunteer, Schmidt visits, assists and supports many veterans and shut-ins, at times more than 100 individuals with physical, psychological and developmental needs. A compassionate person, she gives her time freely and willingly to help others, always with a smile on her face. “I do it because I enjoy it,” says Schmidt, whose volunteer work is not limited to the Legion. “You really do get a lot out of it because it really does make you feel good.” Schmidt also sings with the Good Time Entertainers, who perform at care homes and events, she is a member of the local Raging Grannies troupe, and has volunteered with the Kelowna Hostesses – for 23 years – as well as the Elizabeth Fry Society and was a member of the Royal Purple for 11 years. Currently, she is part of the Rutland Association, a volunteer group that advises the Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) on community issues. In the words of her nominator Broc Braconnier, “Shirley Schmidt dutifully demonstrates commitment and has maintained a standard of dedication beyond the normal expectation of such a volunteer in similar circumstances.” He described her as a person who devotes her time and energy to making a difference for many. “She is relentless in assisting people,” wrote Braconnier.

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CONGRATULATIONS

TO ALL OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS

You are contributing to our community and creating a lasting impact.

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR:

Maxine Harder

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Rosslyn Ellett

Barbie Ross

Rosslyn Ellett began volunteering for the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation 15 years ago, looking for something to fill her time and to give back to a community she has grown to love as her home. Her first volunteer position was in the General Snackery. Volunteers are typically asked to commit to one four-hour shift a week for a minimum of six months, but Ellett started out working two shifts a week. In 2002, the hospital auxiliary created a coffee kiosk, now called The Perking Lot, and Ellett took on the task of managing the service on a volunteer basis. She trains other volunteers, orders and picks up supplies, and is instrumental in liaising with the business manager on all aspects of the service. With this venue alone, Ellett has given more than 7,000 hours of volunteer time, and continues to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours a week. In her spare time, Ellett, a retired nurse and mother of two kids along with now being a grandmother, has volunteered for the heart and stroke foundation as an area donation captain and worked as a caregiver for the past eight years. She says she does all this not because she needs to the work to occupy her time, but simply because she loves helping seniors.

Barbie Ross is the definition of a volunteer, something that was instilled in her as teenager. Consider her resume of volunteerism: • At 16, Ross volunteered to raise money for the March of Dimes; she would become a member of the Teen Town Council and later be named Teen Town Sweeheart in 1967 • Director of Royalty Kelowna Regatta from 1969 to 1970. • Founding member of the Joe Rich Ratepayer Association, and 25-year volunteer, also part of the eﬀort to create the Joe Rich volunteer fire department and their firehall • Board member of the Kelowna Hospital Foundation for six years • Served as the coordinator of decor and the house/stage manager of the Kelowna Hospital Heart of Gold gala from 1999 to 2014 • Volunteer stage manager and steering committee member for the Canadian Cancer Society Daﬀodil Ball • Also involved in the newly created non-profit group, the International Foundation for Contemplative Engagement Ross has made time for all these activities and more, while being a wife, mother of four, and now grandmother to six, again volunteering as a supportive parent for many of the activities here children have been involved in while growing up. Committed to helping her community, Ross loves Kelowna, her family and volunteering.

Volunteer

When people think of volunteering, cleaning and doing laundry is not usually high on the list of preferred tasks, but not so for Maxine Harder. Harder dubs herself as “The Laundry Queen,” coming in every week for the past two and a half years to do the laundry and clean the 94-bed emergency shelter at the Gospel Mission shelter in downtown Kelowna. A bright, cheerful, hardworking person with an incredibly big heart to help others, that sometimes hides the reality for Harder of dealing with depression. Her husband, an enthusiastic volunteer in his own right, suggested to Harder that giving back to the community could be one way to help combat those feelings of depression. “The best thing you can do to help with depression is to help someone else,” Harder confirms. Besides volunteering at the Gospel Mission, the Harders have also formed relationships with several elderly people in the community, helping them with regular visits, home cleaning and yard work. They have also extended their generosity to the Gospel Mission staff, bringing their boat to the annual staff picnic, a treat enjoyed and appreciated by all.. Kelowna is blessed to have a volunteer like Harder in our midst, so grateful to give back to her community and to everyone she meets.

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Community Leader Award for Youth

Behind every changed life is someone who made it happen.

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR: Rick

Potter

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Ester Pike

Stacey Smith

At just 22 years old, it’s unlikely that Ester Pike has volunteered for as long as some of her fellow nominees. But her youth hasn’t stopped this home-schooled, Kelowna transplant from becoming one of the most important Red Cross volunteers in the entire province. Like many of our volunteers, Pike was introduced to the Red Cross as a client in crisis, her family made suddenly homeless by an apartment fire in Rutland in 2013. Several months later, she became a volunteer herself, putting her skills to work at the reception desk of the Kelowna Red Cross Office. It wasn’t long before Ester’s extraordinary energy and self-confidence was noticed and she was recruited as the youngest member of the BC Community Connector Team. CCs perform a critical, front-line role for the Red Cross, raising the local profile of the organization and networking for new community partnerships. Not long after becoming one of three CCs in Kelowna, Pike took on the role of Team Lead for the province-wide Volunteer Recruitment Initiative, charged with expanding the CC program through every village and town in British Columbia. In a time when a 22-year-old is barely considered an adult, a front-line external relations role is no small achievement. Pike says her involvement in Red Cross was sparked literally by the fire in her apartment two years ago. “I knew what the Red Cross was about on an international level but I had no idea what they did to help people on a local level until they helped me,” she recalled.

Recreational outdoor pursuits have been an active pursuit of Stacey Smith for the past 25 years, a lifestyle that the Rutland Senior Secondary teacher has wanted to pass on to his students. In his first year of teaching, Smith was able to mentor as a leader for the Junior Alpine Club. This allowed him to refine his ideas for the program. He and a co-teacher eventually started an outdoor education program at Rutland Middle School, and the program followed Smith when he moved over to Rutland Senior Secondary. He says the goals of the program are many: To learn about stewardship of the environment, fuel a desire to get outside and stay fit and to teach skills that will keep students secure and safe in the outdoors. “Much of my course revolves around practical skills and practicing them in real life situations,” Smith said. “Last year I started an outdoor education club that ran after school and on some weekends. Teaching outdoor education takes up a lot of time, many evenings and weekends. (But) to me it is worth it. “My motivation is also my passion, a love of the outdoors and to protect what we have.” When he’s not exposing students to the great outdoors, Smith teaches P.E. and Social Studies classes at RSS, coaches youth soccer and has coached basketball, volleyball and various other sports in the past.

Youth Volunteer

Rick Potter has volunteered with the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club Youth Restoration Justice program for nearly a decade, a reflection of the passion and dedication he has for his work with youth. Potter participates as both a facilitator and co-facilitator in various conferences where young people are provided the opportunity to repair the harm they have caused to the community and specific individuals. Potter’s personal character traits of compassion, empathy, understanding and his ability to redirect conferences in a positive direction are all huge assets. A pastor at Rutland United Church, Potter strives to continually go above and beyond to give youth a chance to complete their community service work. He attends conferences in his spare evenings, which require anywhere from one to three hours to facilitate followed by a debrief session with other volunteers in the end. He has volunteered for three such conferences this year, more than any other volunteer thus far.

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Proud to Support the ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER Category. Your incredible contributions involving sustainability and the environment make our community a better place to live.

In 2014 the Overwaitea Food Group stores in the Central Okanagan... REDUCED – • 2,538 Cubic Yards to the landfill • 1,634.1 Te CO2e Carbon Dioxide Emissions

SAVED – • 2,989,634.9 kWh of energy • 16,079,405 litres of water • 1,785.6 barrels of oil (petroleum) • 10,315 mature trees

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR: Bob

Purdy

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Penny Gubbels

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Don Elzer

and

Isabel Pritchard

The Friends of the South Slope Society is dedicated to preserving the environmental integrity of what is referred to as the south slopes of Kelowna. The society’s goals are to build and maintain public facilities across the area, along with trails and signs in Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. The area is bordered by Okanagan Mountain Park on the west, to the McCulloch Lake chain on the east, south to Little White Mountain and north to Mission and KLO creeks. Two of the driving forces behind the creation and evolution of the South Slopes Society are Penny Gubbels and Isabel Pritchard. The two were among the early founding members of FOSS dating back to April 1988, and both have held various board positions and responsibilities with the society since. Of late, Sanford has taken on the task of reporting and recording on the progress of Katim, the successful bidder of an NTC grant of $21,000, which was matched by the society’s own fundraising. This role has taken her deep into the wilderness, to ensure the contractor was making progress on time and on budget. Gubbels is the longtime secretary for FOSS. At every meeting she comes armed with books and folders on information that society board members can refer to, such as activating old trails or discussing land use agreements. It is through the dedication of Gubbels and Pritchard that the recreational use potential of Myra-Bellevue and Okanagan Mountain parks for our community to enjoy.

Don Elzer has a passion for our natural environment, and that passion serves as his fuel to inspire the changes he wishes to see and encourage others to do the same. Elzer has participated in and led many community environmental projects, his current focus being to protect a conservation area of rare micro-rain forest climate near Lumby. On this property, Elzer has operated a cafe and wildcrafting forest school, using his teachings to share his wisdom about the forest he wants to save in its natural state and the personal connection we all have to that goal. Intriguing and engaging as a teacher and mentor, Elzer seeks to use his influence of knowledge to find collaboration with others for an environmental cause. His motives stand from a place of pure passion and determination for what he knows is majorly important for our quality of life, a mission to kindly merge with nature in a more positive way.

Environmental Leader

Perhaps the Okanagan’s most recognized sighting on a paddle board, Bob Purdy has a passion for the environment and lives his life by that commitment every day. Since Jan. 1, 2011, Purdy has climbed aboard his standup paddle board—through rain, sleet and snow—as his way to advocate for changing how we live on the planet. He began his paddle board journey in the hopes of inspiring change, particularly in how people view our water, to draw attention to the need for everyone to recognize the impact our material-based lifestyles have on this precious resource. Besides being the founder of World Paddle for the Planet Day, Purdy gained widespread recognition when he paddled the 80mile length of Okanagan Lake in one day, a feat that drew international attention for his World Paddle day. “My impetus for the event: Pick a change, paddle for that change, and commit to it until it becomes a reality,” Purdy said. He also become the focus of a documentary by filmmaker Carey Missler called The Paddler, which helped bring his viewpoints and beliefs about preserving our environment to the public forefront. The film has won two awards. Purdy is a man who not only inspires, but authentically lives the change he hopes to see for the planet.

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Congratulations to all the honorees and their outstanding local contributions. We are proud to play an active role in helping to grow and positively impact each and every community we serve.

We have lots of branches. But we also have lots of roots.

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2015 Community Leader Awards

TOP HONOUR: Peter

Lees

HONOURABLE MENTION:

Michael Lavigne

JC Braconnier

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Open for Change, Michael Lavigne is passionate and dedicated to making a profound difference in his community. The mission of Open for Change is to create a united community for sustainable change. In addition to developing a new online social network, Lavigne built a community of people committed to supporting social causes and has attracted a large group of volunteers and team members. “I believe that small actions have a big impact,” Lavigne said. “Our goal at Open for Change is to create a united community that collaborates for positive change.” Lavigne and his team have worked with and supported many different community organizations, such as Inn from the Cold, BCSPCA, Metro Community, Boys and Girls Club Emergency Youth Shelter, and Bottles for Change. Lavigne spends much of his personal time volunteering with organizations as he is a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Kelowna Junior Chamber International and the Kelowna Club. He also makes presentations as a speaker for Rotary clubs, Toastmasters and local businesses. Lavigne has been described as a ‘serial volunteer,’ and can often be found supporting the Metro Community Soup Kitchen, BCSPCA, Kelowna Gospel Mission and many other charities.

A retired Canadian Naval Officer, Professional Engineer and former CEO of a BC post-secondary trades training institute, Braconnier has been a resident of West Kelowna for the past 14 years. He is an active member of a number of boards and organizations, frequently engaging groups to partner with community ventures as collaborative sponsors or financial supporters in the implementation of new programs. Last year, Braconnier liaised with Revenue Canada, seeking tax preparer volunteers and salvaging the WHNS free Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, assisting 438 local seniors in filing their tax forms. Recently, Braconnier was selected as one of the alternate council members for the Senior Advocate Council of Senior Citizen’s Organization of B.C. His potential membership in that advocacy role and his representation and networking relationship with other service administrations helped enhance a wide range of prospective possibilities in engaging others in community projects. Another example of Braconnier’s leadership in action was his initiation of a steering committee consisting of local community organizations, encouraging them to work together on mutual submissions to help in the co-ordination of individual grants offered through the Canada 150 Fund.

Community Builder

Peter Lees is the Operational Manager for Karis Support Society, an organization that works with women recovering from addiction. In the past eight years, approximately 250 women have come through Karis’ doors, and Lees has had a tremendous capacity to connect with those fragile women. Lees is both a coach and an encourager for the women as they pursue their recoveries, and is a person of courage as he routinely has to deal with hospitals, police, and in some unfortunate cases the funerals of clients. “I’ve always been taught to help my fellow man,” Lees described. “Basically help them up the ladder, and that’s why I do this work. That’s it. Since I moved to Canada this is the work I’ve been doing, and in the UK as well, which is where I came from.” Every year, Karis Support Society holds and event called ‘Celebration,’ where all of their community partners are invited to join them in acknowledging the life changes in their clients. At their last event, 45 different organizations they work with were acknowledged - a network of community that directly reflects Lees’ passion to work as a team to restore lives in Kelowna. In addition to his work with Karis, Lees is also the community collaborator for homelessness in the city, which means he regularly connects with the RCMP and the regional district about issues in Kelowna.

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Leadership is (L )earned

Congratulations to all those nominated and recognized as leaders in our community.

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Inspired by the desire to help, fueled by the will to improve, and driven by skills that draw others along on the trek, good leaders are those who learn as they lead. Great leaders are those who pass the lessons along.

Okanagan Collegeâ€™s mission is to transform lives and communities. The Okanagan College Foundation focuses on powering the promise of our students. We are proud to support and be a source of leaders and learning.

2015 Community Leader Awards

LEADER OF THE YEAR:

Marion Sallenbach is a truly outstanding community volunteer who has made a tremendous impact on countless families in the Okanagan. At 93 years of age, Sallenbach has been an active volunteer in the Okanagan for more than 50 years, and her efforts have helped to raise thousands of dollars for the Kelowna General Hospital. She began volunteering with the Hospital Auxiliary in Winfield in the late1960s. Since then, she has been an instrumental leader in dozens of volunteer clinics and successful fundraising initiatives. She was and continues to be involved in running baby clinics, working alongside nurses to prepare newborns for their immunizations. In her role as the Winfield Auxiliary president in the 70s, and her decades-long stint as the treasurer, she helped to create a now-renowned catering service for special events like weddings, memorials, and anniversaries, donating all the proceeds to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. One of her most successful volunteer initiatives was the Lake Country Calendar, which Marion ran out of her basement in the 1970s before selling it to the McCarthy family in 1979. Sallenbach began the newspaper as a community newsletter, and solicited advertisements from local businesses as a way of raising funds. She and her fellow volun-

teers put in many hours of labour to print the pages, collate, and assemble them before distributing them across the whole community. In addition to her work for the hospital, Sallenbach has volunteered with the Winfield Community Church, the Red Cross, and the Independent Order of Foresters, through which she has donated her time and expertise in myriad ways, including to help prepare “Wheals to Meals” for seniors in need, bookkeeping, and helping with “Adopt-aRoad” initiatives. Today, Marion continues to contribute to the hospital and her community any way she can, even spending her spare time knitting hats for premature babies. Marion’s whole-hearted commitment to making the world a better place, not only for us but also for the generations to follow, makes her an exemplary community leader. “I like to help other people,” is how Sallenbach describes her personal initiative to volunteer in her community. “I enjoy meeting people…I really enjoyed helping out with the baby clinics because I got to see all the new babies.” For Sallenbach, who moved to Lake Country from Salmon Arm in 1944 and today lives on a rural property with both her children and their families as her neighbours, she says volunteering is for her “just a way to help out.”

Leader of the Year

Marion Sallenbach

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Celebrating 45 Years

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