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His Worship, Mayor Mike Hurley
presented the Burnaby Local Hero Awards to the 2019 recipients. Councillor Dhaliwal
introduced each recipient as they received their award. The text of
Councillor Dhaliwal’s statement read as follows:
“Local Heroes are people who have
made outstanding contributions to our community’s well-being. Tonight, six
individuals will be recognized for their significant accomplishments and the
positive impacts they have made on the City and citizens of Burnaby.
2019 marks the twenty-third year the City has
recognized its Local Heroes. The total number of Local Heroes in Burnaby,
including the people being recognized this evening, now stands at 270. Local
Heroes represent an impressive cross-section of Burnaby citizens.
At this time, I would like to thank
our schools, libraries, recreation centres and community agencies for helping
to spread the word about the program. I would also like to extend a special
thank you to the people who took the time and initiative to put together
nomination submissions this year. Without the efforts of the nominators, the
Local Heroes Award program would not be the success that it is today.
I would now like to call upon Mayor Hurley
to join me in making the presentations to this year’s Local Heroes. As your
name is called, I invite each Local Hero or representative to come forward to
receive your Certificate of Recognition and to have your photograph taken.
Mr. Sameer Aslami
Since 2010, Sameer has been an
active volunteer in the Edmonds neighbourhood engaging with residents of all
ages. He has assisted the City with many major community events such as
Canada Day, Festival of Lights, Breakfast with Santa and has also been a regular
volunteer at Edmonds Community Centre for 55+. His spirit of volunteerism
started early, at age 9, when he volunteered his time by organizing supplies
for children's programs and events at Edmonds Community Centre and helping
out in the games room. As Sameer’s nominators note: “Sameer Aslami is a very
deserving Burnaby resident who has become an involved citizen in southeast
Burnaby. Positive attitude is one of the first characteristics that comes to
mind when thinking of Sameer and it has been truly infectious among those
volunteering along-side him. Sameer’s strong sense of community leads me to
believe he will continue to be one of Burnaby’s outstanding citizens.
Ms. Marianne Buesink
Marianne has shown a commitment to
helping vulnerable Burnaby residents throughout her volunteer work within her
faith community at Westminster Bible Chapel. In 2010, she helped to establish
the Extreme Weather Response Shelter at Westminster Bible Chapel in Burnaby.
Since that time, she has continued to volunteer each year as a member of the
Extreme Weather Response Committee. She also annually recruits and trains
volunteers and organizes help for the provision of meals and supplies to
those using the shelter each winter. Marianne is on site to open the church
for the shelter every evening it is open. She also plans the meals and
assists with shopping for needed supplies. An indication of her commitment is
that she has provided meals at the shelter for 363 nights between 2010 and
2019 and contributed nearly 200 volunteer hours during the 2018/2019 shelter
season alone. Marianne also volunteers through her faith community every
Tuesday to make quilts and assist others with their projects for donating to
various agencies that support those in need, including Liberty Place in
Burnaby. She also volunteers to deliver the finished products to the agencies
and assists with two luncheons annually put on for the quilters. As
Marianne’s nominators note: “Marianne is an extraordinary individual, giving
a significant amount of her personal time as a volunteer to assist others
that are vulnerable and homeless. She is caring, humble … well respected and
quietly a true hero to many.
Ms. Mary Gates
Mary is a long-standing volunteer in
Burnaby and committed to improving public safety. She has volunteered with
the Burnaby Citizens Crime Watch since 1990, assisting with events such as
Hats Off Day, conducting foot and vehicular patrols directed at crime hots
spots, and assists in the recruitment of new members. She has also
volunteered at the RCMP Community Policing Office helping out with the
Burnaby RCMP inaugural Open House, foot patrols throughout Burnaby and
assisting at community events. Since 2011, she has been a Co-Captain of the
Burnaby RCMP Block Watch Program in her neighbourhood, observing and
reporting incidents to police as well as communicating crime prevention tips
and information to neighbours and program participants. As Mary’s nominator’s
state: “Mary is constantly trying to make the world a better place.
Dedication, flexibility, and a keen eye to detail are all hallmarks of this
outstanding individual. Burnaby is without a doubt a safer and stronger
community because of her decades of service.
Ms. Kathy Richardson
Kathy has been an active volunteer
with her faith community at Deer Lake United Church for over 30 years. She is
a board member and participates on the Christian Education Committee, Worship
Committee and Pastoral Care Committee. Through these committees she helps
with supporting members of the congregation who have lost a loved one or
fallen ill, organizing services, and faith education opportunities for the
congregation. Kathy has also been an active volunteer at Burnaby Association
for the South East Side where she has been a Board Member for the past eight
years. For the past six years, she has served in the role of Secretary of the
Board. She has volunteered her time with the Administrative Committee for the
thrift store ensuring that all store supplies are kept in stock,
co-organizing volunteer appreciation events and other administrative tasks
such as those related to human resources. Kathy is also an integral part of
the Book Giveaway event held every June for the past 13 years. Kathy’s
nominators say: “Kathy is a real example of a local hero. Kathy has a heart
of gold and cares for those around her. When Kathy commits to a project or
issue, her focus is so strong that others join in and the dream becomes
reality.
Ms. Donna Short
Donna Short has been volunteering
with both Citizen Support Services and PADS for over ten years. Donna
volunteers weekly as a Shop by Phone Shopper to purchase groceries to be
delivered to isolated seniors throughout Burnaby. Donna works closely with
the seniors she is purchasing for to ensure that their orders are correct and
alerts them when a similar product is available for a lower price. Donna
started her time with PADS many years ago in the Early Puppy Education
program by training very young puppies in preparation for becoming service
dogs. She continues to provide a temporary home for dogs going through the
PADS training program and ensures that they attend all training sessions.
These dogs stay with her up to 100 days until they are matched with a person
who needs the dog's service. As Donna’s nominator’s note: “I cannot say
enough about Donna’s kindness, consideration and dedication to being
dedicated in our community and therefore I truly feel she would make an
excellent candidate for a Local Hero award.
Ms. Short could not be here with us
tonight. Ms. Geraldine Wall, Ms. Patty Perfecto, and Ms. Michelle Wilson from
Citizen Support Services are here to accept the award on Ms. Short’s behalf.
Ms. Dianne Stevenson
Dianne has been a loyal volunteer at
BASES thrift store for over five years. She serves as a cashier at the store
as well as assisting with unpacking, sorting and organizing book donations.
Dianne has also led fundraising activities for the thrift store in addition
to her in-store volunteer shifts. Dianne is also a member of the Fraser
Valley Quilters' Guild and organizes charity events and makes quilts for
various organizations such as Aunt Leah's House, for premature babies at BC
Women's Hospital, and the Cops for Cancer Program. Dianne’s nominators say:
“Dianne puts her heart and soul into her passions - quilting for others and
the thrift store. Everyone who knows her finds her smile and commitment
infectious.”
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