The second annual Campbell River Mirror Local Hero Awards have come around again, giving us the opportunity to thank those within our community who go above and beyond in their field, in their volunteer work or just in life.
Next Thursday, May 16, these heroes – along with the community sponsors who have stepped up to help us celebrate them – will gather at the No. 1 Firehall in downtown Campbell River to say “thank you” to these people.
Local leaders in education, arts, coaching, community building, diversity and inclusion, emergency services, environmental leadership, healthcare, youth volunteering, championing seniors causes and those who have shown exceptional courage and bravery in the face of adversity will be celebrated next week. These wonderful people were nominated by their peers and the general public, then selected by a panel of local representatives from public service and community organizations.
We are honoured to be able to celebrate these folks.
Although next Thursday’s event is a private, invitation only celebration – there’s simply not enough room in the firehall to open it up to the public – full coverage of the evening will be made available following the event, where we will highlight these outstanding members of our community in a special supplement that will come out in the following Friday’s Mirror.
Last year’s awards went to the following people:
Nikki Watts (Hero of the Year); Gerry Miller (Courage and Bravery); John Jepson (Coach); Carol Chapman (Community Volunteer); Karen Lutz (Community Builder); Chuck DeSorcy (Educator); Alex Witcombe (Arts Advocate); Sandra Milligan (Environmental Leadership); Krisandra Rufus (Diversity and Inclusion); Sydney Boyle (Youth Volunteer); Mary Lazarski (Seniors’ Champion); and the Coast Guard team of Dennis Kolk, Paul Nestman, Phil Hawkins and Huw Davies (Emergency Services).
Those receiving top honours next week will be given a bronze whale sculpture created by local artist Pavel Barta in recognition of their achievement.
