The fifth annual Community Service Awards winners have been announced, with the City of Pitt Meadows celebrating the local citizens and businesses across the six different categories.
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Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald said the city received many nominations, with the citizen-led Community Service Awards Task Force determining the winners.
“Residents of Pitt Meadows consistently go the extra mile to support their neighbours,” said MacDonald. “On behalf of myself and council, we are overjoyed to honour these remarkable individuals for their commitment to the well-being of our community.”
The full list of the 2023 Community Service Awards winners includes:
• Chris Ellis – Against the Odds Achievement Award
• Len Pierre – Community Service Award
• Sienna Gubert – Community Service Youth Award
• Everett Crowdis – Good Neighbour Award
• The Jolly Coachman Pub – Business of the Year Award
• Susan and Richard Harmston – Spirit of Pitt Meadows Award
According to the City of Pitt Meadows, Ellis was given the Against the Odds Achievement Award for his work as the head of the Golden Ears Pickleball Club, despite dealing with physical and mental health challenges including PTSD from his time as an RCMP officer.
The Community Service Award went to Pierre because the Katzie First Nation member is a local leader in education surrounding truth and reconciliation.
Pitt Meadows Secondary student Gubert was given the Community Service Youth Award thanks to her role in the SD42 Student Voice forum and her continuous involvement in various school events and programs.
Crowdis won the Good Neighbour Award due to his leadership with the Alouette Men’s Shed, which has completed several community projects for places like the Pitt Meadows Museum.
The Jolly Coachman Pub received the Business of the Year Award thanks to its continued philanthropic work, including monetary and prize donations to various local organizations.
The Spirit of Pitt Meadows Award went to the Harmstons for their involvement with many city events as volunteers. They are also Golden Ears Pickleball Club directors who were instrumental in getting the outdoor pickleball courts in Pitt Meadows, and also created the slo-pitch league back in 1989.
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“Congratulations to this year’s Community Service Award winners,” said city CAO Mark Roberts. “We are pleased to recognize their valuable contributions to our community and are grateful for those who nominated them.”
The winners will be given their awards at a private event sometime in early 2024.