Sylvie Paillard
spaillard@squamishchief.com
A local organization is being heralded as a shining example of successful volunteerism. Communities that Care (CTC) is a finalist in the 19th annual Volunteer Vancouver Recognition Awards. CTC representative Bill McNeney will be at the April 24 Volunteer Vancouver Volunteer Recognition Awards ceremony where winners in seven different categories will be announced.
"The event celebrates the outstanding, valuable and often innovative contributions of volunteers throughout BC," stated a Volunteer Vancouver news release.
Since 1998, CTC has worked with a broad group of community stakeholders to assess the levels of risk and protection in the community. The CTC's Strengthening Families Program is now in its seventh cycle, the High/Scope educational approach is now operating at two pre-schools in Squamish, the Municipal Alcohol Policy has recently been implemented at District of Squamish facilities and the Step Up campaign has been launched.
"These programs are achieving strong results for over 117 families in Squamish," stated CTC project coordinator Christine Buttkus. "The success of the programs relies on community partnerships and the contribution of at least 50 volunteer members or donated staff per year."
The CTC was nominated by McNeney in the Canada Volunteerism Initiative, which is specifically for contributions outside of the Lower Mainland. The other nominees in the category include North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce's North Shuswap First Responders and Mark McLaughlin of the Oak Bay Police Department.
A volunteer committee selected the recognition award finalists from a group of 148 nominees. The seven award categories that will be presented at the awards event includes a Caring Company Award, which recognizes a company's support for its employees' volunteer activities, and an Innovation Award, which pays tribute to an organization that has applied creativity and innovation towards meeting a goal.
Also being presented at the awards ceremony is a Special Honour Award that celebrates the contributions of an outstanding group of volunteers. This year, the Special Honour Award will recognize B.C.'s dedicated firefighters.
