Month: December 2021

A message from The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia

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Photo: Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC

Hello friends, I’m Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and today I’m inviting you to nominate a deserving British Columbian for a 2022 Community Award. 

As I connect with British Columbians throughout our province, I’m constantly inspired by the many people who generously serve their communities in diverse ways; as volunteers as community leaders or during times of crisis and emergency. 

We all know of outstanding citizens in our own communities who provide leadership for local organizations and keep services running through volunteering, fundraising and advocacy.  

Photo: (left) Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC and (right) 2019 Mitchell Awardee, Ellen Woodsworth

Over the past year we’ve also seen countless examples of local heroes and helpers who have stepped up in response to the summer’s heat dome event and forest fires, and in the wake of the floods that have devastated communities and destroyed critical infrastructure. These are people who made and served meals to flood victims, who opened their homes to evacuees, who assisted with the cleanup of debris such as fallen trees, drywall and mould, or who volunteered their technical skills to identify issues on roads or assist with hazard mapping. 

The 2022 Community Award will provide an opportunity to recognize up to 25 of these outstanding citizens. If you know of someone who makes your community stronger, richer, more compassionate and more healthy, please consider nominating them for a 2022 Award.  

Nominations are open from December 1 until January 31 at bcachievement.com 

Nominate Now BC! 

To watch the full video, click here. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.    

ACHIEVEMENT: Strength, Courage and Skill

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Photo: 2021 Awardee, Elijah Mack, Kekuli Cafe Merritt

Achievement is defined as strength, courage and skill – and each BC Achievement awardee embodies this in their respective lives. As we consider the year (and its many challenges) soon to be behind us, our awardees are leading the way far beyond their award recognition and contributions to building stronger more engaged communities. 

In the recent trials faced by BC communities ravaged by flood, the example of the 2021 Indigenous Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Elijah Mack of Kekuli Cafe Merritt rings true as he demonstrates his strength, his courage and his skill assisting others. Relocated to a hotel in Kamloops due to the catastrophic flooding in Merritt, Elijah figured out ways to serve food to those in need producing sandwiches, chili and hosting a taco fundraiser to support his community. In a recent interview with CBC’s Matt Gallaway, Elijah shared his platform of ‘unity in the community’ and that giving back is and always has been part of his DNA. As he contemplates the devastation in Merritt and returning to the city to help rebuild, he explains, “I hate when my family is hurting, and Merritt is my family”. Thank you for inspiring us Elijah and we can’t wait to see where your community faith and entrepreneurial spirit will take you next. 

It’s good to take the time to pause and consider the privilege BC Achievement has elevating stories of excellence throughout the province. These stories tell us the best of BC and implore and inspire all of us to follow the lead of awardees showcased within each of the foundation’s five programs. 

After each independent jury deliberation, the foundation team is tasked with reaching out to awardees and sharing the wonderful news of their selection. What a perk! As we work together toward the program’s recognition phase and learn about the awardee on a personal level, we are always amazed at the breadth of the awardee’s commitment.  

We salute all the 2021 Awardees for the richness they bring to their community and thank them for their passionate strength, their indomitable courage and their exceptional skill. BC Achievement is grateful to share their stories and inspire change.  

In gratitude, all of us at BC Achievement wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.    

Nominations Open for the 19th Annual Community Award

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VANCOUVER – British Columbians are encouraged to nominate those who make a difference in their communities for the 19th annual Community Award program, announced today by BC Achievement Foundation chair Anne Giardini.

“A key part of what we do at BC Achievement is to recognize some of the many outstanding individuals who provide exceptional service to communities across the province,” said Giardini. “Now, more than ever, we are grateful for those who lead the way, showing all of us the importance of strong, engaged and connected communities. Communities where we care for each other.  No one says it better than 2021 Mitchell Awardee Amber Anderson. I join with her in encouraging everyone throughout British Columbia to #nominatenowbc.”

“We need to continue the great work we are doing. We need to lead by example and know that our actions affect many lives. It is important to acknowledge excellence in the community, to bring attention to the good work being done and inspire others to do the same. Our work is far from over, what we have accomplished has made a huge impact on our communities. We need to put our heads down roll our sleeves up and continue to make a difference to motivate and inspire change.” 2021 Mitchell Awardee, Amber Anderson C.C.C.

The deadline for nominations for the 2022 Community Award is January 31, 2022. See www.bcachievement.com for more information on the online nomination process and nominate now! Nominations will be reviewed by an independent selection committee of community leaders including program alumni and the 2022 awardees will be announced and celebrated beginning in April 2022.

BC Achievement is an independent foundation established to celebrate excellence in community service, entrepreneurship, arts, and the humanities.

Media contact:
Rup Kang, Communications Director
BC Achievement Foundation
604-261-9777 ext 102
Rup@bcachievement.com