Per Gjerde has made lasting contributions to his community, particularily the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby, an organization that promotes the culture, heritage and sports of Scandinavia. Per helped to establish the centre by bringing five countries together to fund a single Scandinavian building. He does any job no matter how difficult, tedious or messy. He is elected to everything. From chairing the board to maintenance, carpentry and the annual MidSummer Festival, mowing the grass and cooking the salmon, Per is the glue that holds the centre together for its over three thousand members.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that honours excellence and inspires achievement in British Columbia.