Daphne Cole has been making a difference in the lives of young people in BC for the past 30 years. As founder of the BC Children’s Hospital Auxiliary to help support families, patients and hospital staff in 1982, Daphne is a champion for the hospital and its mission. She is a significant donor to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and served a six-year term as a Governor. These efforts, along with her extensive volunteering have made her a child health ambassador for the entire province and crucial to the achievements and continuing excellence of the BC Children’s Hospital.
Award Year: 2017
Barbara Stewart
Barbara Stewart embodies the spirit of Variety – the Children’s Charity of BC, which states that “together we can be there when families need us most” through her four decades of remarkable commitment to the charity. She has served as a volunteer with Variety holding every significant office in the organization and contributing in a range of ways. She’s been President, assisted every fundraising effort, been a member of the President’s Circle for Variety International, introduced and chaired the Gold Hearts campaign and raised more than $5 million for children with special needs. Barbara is an invaluable part of Variety and continues to inspire by her commitment and actions.
Best Western Tin Wis Resort Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations
Best Western Tin Wis Resort, located in Tofino is a full-facility year round resort. Its mission is to deliver exceptional service and value to resort guests and to be a long-standing economic contributor and employer for the Resort’s owners, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
Established 25 years ago, Tin Wis has been the recipient of multiple industry awards. Its annual occupancy rate has climbed over 80% and it continues to be one of the regions largest employers of First Nations staff. It gives back to the community with in-kind donations of hotel facilities for cultural ceremonies and other community events.
Twin Sisters Native Plants Nursery
Dorothy Durham
The Village of Jaffray has benefited enormously from Dorothy Durham’s time, energy and experience. Her dedication to all aspects of community life has made her an integral part of Jaffray’s social, cultural and economic well-being. Whether using her training as a nurse and caring for those in need or volunteering through Crime Watch, the local Lady Lions, 4-H and the Galloway Curling Club, Dorothy reflects the importance of giving back through her daily actions. She is an invaluable member of her community who serves as an inspiration to those she supports.
Carol Todd
Since 2012, Carol Todd has been an active and dedicated advocate raising awareness on the dangers of cyberbullying. Building on the tragic suicide of her daughter, Amanda Todd, Carol promotes her daughter’s message of hope and strength. Her platform reaches parents and children alike and, by sharing her personal experience of losing a child, she engages her community on mental health awareness while delivering valuable education and resources to those in need throughout British Columbia and beyond. Carol created the Amanda Todd Legacy Society in honour of her daughter’s memory to recognize the uniqueness within each person and, by doing so, empowering their individuality.
Beyond the Bell Out of School Care
Beyond the Bell Out of School opened in 2014 when Cathy Balatti took a big leap of faith as she had to learn all about the nuts and bolts of running a business. Within four months, the program was operating at 100% capacity with a growing waitlist. Cathy’s program exemplifies quality childcare in meeting the needs of working parents and children in their developing years.
People like Cathy don’t come along very often in this world, say the parents of her charges. She inspires her peers with her solid business model combined with a passion for her job – proving that when you love what you do, success is possible.
Delores Purdaby
A master basketry artist from the Neskonlith community of the Secwepemc Nation, Delores Purdaby has practiced as a customary artist for over four decades. Her mother-in-law, Theresa Purdaby, and her mother, Christine Allen, along with other Secwepemc women, taught her the skills she continues to use today. Delores’ vast ecological and traditional knowledge – necessary for understanding when and where to harvest and how to process and finally use the materials pulled from nature into her baskets – is passed on to the many generations of Secwepemc she has gone on to mentor. Immersed in the community and in a different functioning of cultural art, production and circulation, Delores has never been formally recognized for her work, which is little known outside Secwepemc territory. She adapts and innovates with each piece she creates, from her massive cedar root basket that took many years to create, to smaller works often sold or traded to support ceremonial and community activities. Delores’ dedication to her practice and mentorship of future generations is a valuable legacy for all, in BC and beyond.
Sardul S. Gill
Born and raised in Victoria, Sardul Gill is actively involved in the local Sikh community where he is well known as a philanthropist and community elder. He donated $5 million to the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, establishing a permanent endowment for scholarships and financial awards, international projects, teaching and research. The Sardul S. Gill Graduate School at UVic marks the first time in Canada that such an institution has been named for a philanthropist of Sikh Indian descent and was the largest gift received from an alumnus to a graduate program at the university.
Lin Wei (Henry) Tung
Motivation, work ethic and a commitment to community define Henry Tung’s contributions to his high school and community. Originally from Taiwan, Henry and his family immigrated to Chilliwack, via PEI, and he was determined to give back to his new home. As a consistent honour roll student, Henry also volunteered for a wide variety of school clubs and community organizations while volunteering with the Red Cross, Fraser Health, and Interact Club to name a few. Now a second year scholarship student a Queen’s University, Henry has left a lasting impact on his hometown school and community and is an example for other students to follow.
