Mission will be honouring some of its most dedicated citizens this Saturday afternoon at the Community Service Awards.
Held between 2 and 3:30 p.m. in the Leisure Centre gymnasium, 18 awards will be given out.
This year’s winners are:
Community
Service Award
Rhett Nicholson
Rhett is passionate about Mission’s downtown and, for the past four years, has contributed to the Mission Downtown Business Association as a member of the board of directors and as Chair of the Special Events Committee. He is also very involved in the Optimist Club and has led the Junior Optimist Club for many years.
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Award
Mission Citizen’s
Patrol
The Mission Citizen’s Patrol is an active and enthusiastic group who can be found on the streets of Mission supporting local law enforcement and promoting public safety through education and observation.
Community
Service Award
James (Jimmy) Logan
Jimmy is a cancer survivor who, for the past seven years, has volunteered as the as the president of the Mission Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. He is also the driving force behind the annual Burns Supper and a participant in the volunteer driver program.
Community
Service Award
Heidi Smith
Heidi has been with the Mission Adopt-A-Block Society since its inception, heads the Gorilla Gardeners, and is part of the Communities in Bloom Society. She has also been a volunteer for the Women’s Resource Society, the Clarke Theatre, and the Mission Historical Society.
Sports Volunteer of
the Year Award
Damon and Crystal Matkovich
Damon and Crystal Matkovich have, for the past decade, dedicated countless hours each year to Mission Minor Hockey and Mission Lacrosse. As a coach, Damon serves as an important role model to the youth of our community while Crystal works tirelessly behind the scenes, helping with tournaments, and participating in fundraisers.
Arts and Culture
Service Award
Joy Vox Community Choir
Established in 2001, the Joy Vox Community Choir is a non-audition, mixed choir based in the Mission-Abbotsford area. They perform at Christmas concerts, charity and community events, festivals, and coffee houses.
Community
Service Award
William (Bill)
McDonald
Over the years, Bill has volunteered on behalf of a variety of different nonprofit groups in the community. He has served as both the president and the vice-president of the Agricultural Association, and chaired the local 4-H club. Bill was on the executive of the Kinsmen Club of Mission, received a Lion of the Year award from the Lions Club.
Community
Service Award
Gorilla Gardeners
The Gorilla Gardeners are Mission residents who, individually and as a group, adopt public spaces for restoration and maintenance.
Arts and Culture
Service Award
Janet (Jan) Gardner
Jan has been a steadfast and dedicated advocate for the Mission Arts Council for well over a decade. She volunteers in the tea room and gallery, sits on the Craft Market Committee, and helps with the Children’s Festival.
Against the Odds Achievement Award
Eshona Debaat
As both a cancer survivor and someone who personally understands the special challenges faced by people with disabilities, Eshona has spent countless hours raising funds for cancer research and has been an active participant and volunteer with the Special Olympics for the past 16 years. She is also a member of the Mission Association for Community Living’s Board of Directors and has worked at Community Services in the laundry outreach program for over seven years.
Arts & Culture Service Award
Friends of Mission Library (FOML)
Formed in June of 1991, the Friends of Mission Library consists of a dedicated group of 20 volunteers who promote library services in the community, initiate and support fund-raising activities, encourage gifts, endowments and bequests, and advocate on behalf of the library and literacy programs within the community.
Community Service Award
Tamara Throssell
Tamara Throssell is a long-time participant in the Mission Social Development program and a dedicated community volunteer who is passionate in her support of youth and family in Mission.
Community Service Award
Mission Adopt-A-Block Society
The Mission Adopt-A-Block Society, with the help of its sponsors, administers an impressive litter abatement program which includes but is not limited to community education and public awareness programs; the provision of supplies, equipment and support to individuals and groups in the Mission area who want to remove litter from our streets and park areas; and the coordination of a variety of cleanup events held throughout the year.
Sports Volunteer of the Year Award
Noreen Wright
Noreen Wright is a long-time Mission resident who began volunteering with the Mission Granite Club over a dozen years ago. She works tirelessly on behalf of the club, has served as its treasurer, and is always available to help with everyday tasks, bonspiels, and other special events.
Citizen of the Year Award
Elyssa Lockhart
Elyssa Lockhart is a member of Mission’s Economic Development Select Committee and is on the Board of Directors of the 2014 BC Winter Games. She also serves on the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and on the executive committee as a past president, and has been actively involved in a number of other community groups and not-for-profit organizations over the years.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Barbara Fehrmann
Barbara Fehrmann is a Queen’s Jubilee Medal recipient who has been volunteering in our community for over two decades. She is on the Mission Association for Seniors Housing Board, volunteers at the Mission Community Archives, helps with the Rose Garden Tea and Heritage Week, and has been a strong advocate for MASH’s life lease program.
Lifetime Achievement Award
District of Mission Arts Council
The Mission Arts Council promotes and fosters the development and appreciation of arts and culture here in the District of Mission. The MAC, as it is known, was founded as a non-profit organization in 1972 and has been enhancing the quality of life for our citizens for over 40 years.
Freeman of the City
Esther “Claire” Kathleen Clemo
Claire Clemo is one of Mission’s most beloved teachers. Claire is a recipient of both the Queen’s Silver and Diamond Jubilee Medals, as well as the Rotary Club’s 1991 Distinguished Service Award. She was recognized in 1998 as part of the Mission Community Archives Paths and Pathfinders: Women of Mission Program and was honoured in 2000 as one of the District of Mission’s Citizens of the Millennium. Each year Claire, through Mission Community Foundation, sponsors two scholarships, one to a future teacher and one to a future nurse, in support of the next generation of educators and caregivers.