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Kamloops News

Citizens recognized for their contributions to the community

Kamloops – A reception will be held tonight at Hotel 540 to honour the recipients of the City of Kamloops Distinguished Service Award.  Mr. Jeff Arnold, Mr. Charlie Bruce, Mr. Edward Erickson, Mr. Raymond Jolicoeur, Mrs. Claire Moreau, Mr. Andrew Philpot, Mrs. Helen Saemerow and Ms. Janice Yeung were nominated by their peers for their contribution of time and effort to make a difference in our community.

Mr. Jeff Arnold

Jeff has two daughters and is very active in the children’s extra- curricular activities.  Jeff attained his Diploma of Business Administration at the University College of the Cariboo in 1990.  Shortly after in 1992, A&T Project Development Inc. opened for business under Jeff’s direction.

Since 1992, A&T Project Developments has completed close to 1,000 residential, commercial and multi-family projects.  The business has thrived during the past 22 years of business with projects spanning across Canada.  Under Jeff’s leadership, A&T has earned numerous industry awards.  Some of the notable projects that Jeff has been involved in are:

Mayfair at Riverbend Seniors Community, phases 1 and  2 of the new seniors housing community
- Kamloops Food Bank Expansion and renovation
- Summit Centre – new commercial development
- Kamloops Airport Expansion – airport terminal expansion and renovation
- Several multi-family development projects, such as Mosaic, Settler’s Crossing and Captain’s Village Marina
- SportMart Leasehold Improvement Program, which included 34 stores nation-wide

Jeff has been a valued member of the Kamloops Food Bank community for the past several years.  His connection with the organization began when he created a weekly opportunity for both he and his A&T staff to sort food and make hampers.  Jeff became passionate about serving the Food Bank and he investigated opportunities for meaningful involvement, he began to advocate for the Food Bank to his staff, clients and friends.

Jeff formally joined the Kamloops Food Bank Board of Directors, taking on the role of President.  Jeff recognized that the Food Bank facility was not to code and certainly did not meet the needs of the organization.  Jeff spent countless hours guiding the Building Committee in efforts to build a building that not just met the Food Bank’s needs, but exceeded all expectations.  Jeff garnered the support of over 50 local businesses and contractors, asking them to provide a service or product for the project at a discounted rate or fee.  It has been said that the project would not have gotten off the ground had it not been for Jeff’s vision and leadership. Jeff’s contributions have touched literally thousands of our community’s most needy.

Mr. Charlie Bruce

Charlie has been actively involved in a volunteer capacity since moving to Kamloops in 1980. Charlie has been a volunteer president of various sport organizations and has organized numerous events within the sporting community.

In 1993, Charlie undertook a new level of volunteerism when he became the Vice-President in charge of Sports for the Canada Games. Since then, numerous volunteer opportunities have presented themselves, such as:

- 2015 Chair-Organizing Committee for the National Masters Cross Country Skiing Championships being held in Kamloops
- 2012-2014 Race Director-Overlander Ski Loppet
- 2014 Organizing Committee, Teck BC Cup Cross Country Skiing
- 2013-2014 Snow Angel-Seniors Outreach Society
- 2014 Yoga instructor-North Shore Y/YMCA-3 years
- 2013 Organizing Committee, Teck Okanagan Cup Cross Country Skiing
- 2013 Ski for Light, Cross Country event for Visually Challenged skiers
- 2013 President-Kamloops BC Senior Games
- 2011 Ski for Light, Cross Country event for Visually Challenged skiers
- 2011 Organizing Committee, Overlander Ski Loppet
- 2011 Director of Sports-Western Canada Games
- 2010 Race Official-Canada Winter Olympics

Charlie has been happily married to his wife Sandi.  They chose not to have children of their own, but as educators, they have had the pleasure of touching the lives of thousands of kids over their careers.  Charlie and Sandi are currently enjoying their new careers as free agents and living each day to the fullest.

Mr. Edward Erickson

Edward and his wife Evelyne moved to Kamloops in 1968, where Edward managed the Kal Tire store.  Edward and Evelyne raised two children and have been happily married for 57 years.

Edward joined the Kamloops Kinsmen Service club in 1969 and has been an untiring member of the Kinsmen club, holding all of the executive positions and chairing numerous fundraising projects including the annual Kinsmen’s Mother March.  For his valued contribution to the club, Edward was awarded the prestigious Kinsmen Life Member award.  In the 45 years that Edward has been a member, the Kinsmen club has raised and donated millions of dollars to community charities and non-profit organizations, culminating in the building of the Hal Rodgers Kinsmen Community Centre at Albert McGowan Park.

Edwards has also volunteered with the following agencies:

- Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament for 38 years, serving on numerous committees.  He was responsible for organizing the on-ice officials for 10 years and served as President of the tournament from 1979-1980
- Edward was a founding and 20 year member of the Thompson Rivers University Sports Task Force, working on many fundraising projects for TRU sports scholarships
- Has volunteer for the past 20 years at the Kamloops International Baseball Tournament
- Volunteered with the Westsyde Secondary Football Club for the past 10 years, and is still active as Treasurer
- Edward is the Director of Fundraising for the Westsyde Community Development Society which he has been a member for the past 15 years
- 1996 Labatt Brier
- 1998 World Curling Bonspiel
- 2006 BC Summer Games
- Mountie Stomp – volunteer for 5 years, which raised money and awareness for the Canadian Blood Service Unrelated Bone Marrow Registry
- 2010 Western Canada Junior B Hockey Tournament
- Kamloops BC Senior Games

Edward has given selflessly over the years to the Kamloops community.  He embodies community spirit and is a citizen who really has made a difference in the lives of young and old living in Kamloops.

Mr. Raymond Jolicoeur

Ray and Debbie met in 1990, and have three children, Desirée, Shane and Dustin. They married in 1994 and have one granddaughter, Mariah who is now 16.

Ray began coaching his daughter’s baseball team in 1991 and became a long-time volunteer as coach and in various executive positions of Kamloops Minor Baseball until 2006.  It was through his associations to baseball that eventually connected him to the Social Planning Council, which turned out to be life changing for Ray.

Ray was part of the Social Planning Council from 2000-2008, serving four of those years as Chair.  Ray is currently the Chair of the Homeless Action Plan, Leadership Council and a Director for Policy and Recruiting Committees for Interior Community Services.

Ray also volunteered for the following organizations:

- 2014 Tim Horton’s Brier – Media
- 2000-2008 Homelessness Partnering Initiative working group (through Services Canada)
- 2003-2007 Sustaining Community Partnerships Committee – BC (Services Canada)
- 2004 Chair of the North Shore Community Committee
- 2001-2004 Kamloops Community Action Team (for the negative impact of drugs and sex trade)
- Asset Building (pilot project with School District No. 73, setting framework for asset building in youth)
- Southwest Business Improvement Association
- Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association – Planning and Development  and Safety Committees
- North Shore Business Improvement Association – Board of Directors and Planning and Development sub-committee
- BC Wildlife Park Director

Ray owned the local newspaper “The Echo” in 2002 and sold it in 2004.

Ray’s work always reflected his deep sense of citizen obligation to help those in our community who were disadvantaged.  He worked hard to identify the issues and develop strategies to attack the root cause of their problems that made a positive impact on the social fabric of our community.

Mrs. Claire Moreau

Claire was born in Chevinay, France.  Claire and her husband moved to Canada in 1952 where a foster family welcomed them to the City of Edmonton.  In 1955, they moved to Vancouver where Claire’s husband was in the construction field and in 1976, moved to Kamloops.  Claire raised a family of two daughters and one son, and now enjoys her grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Claire has been volunteering for the Catholic Church Parish since 1960.  She was active in her children’s school, volunteering in several capacities.

Claire has been a Volunteer Coordinator for Encore Central Services (formerly Seniors Outreach Society) for over 20 years.  As a spry 83 year old, Claire is often assisting those that are younger than she is.  Claire is admired as a kind and thoughtful leader, offering praise and thanks for the other volunteer’s efforts and time.  She gives her time every week filling orders and getting them ready for delivery.

Claire says that she enjoys being able to enhance the lives of seniors in the community and she believes in assisting seniors with independent living.  Claire is active and involved and gives her energy to create meaningful and valuable contributions for the well-being of the senior citizens in Kamloops.

Mr. Andrew Philpot

Andrew was born in Oxford, England and immigrated to Victoria before moving to Kamloops.  He graduated from North Kamloops Senior Secondary School in 1972 and began working in a welding supply store.  In 1978 he married Shirley.

In 1981, Andrew began his career as a firefighter with Kamloops Fire Rescue. Throughout his 30 year career with Kamloops Fire Rescue, Andrew was promoted through the ranks of the organization from Lieutenant, Captain, Chief Training Officer, Operations Chief and lastly as Assistant Chief.

Andrew began his life-long commitment to volunteering in our community, and has received the following awards and volunteered for the following agencies:

- Fire Services Exemplary Medal
- The Province of BC Long Service Medal
- The Service Medal of the Order of St. John
- The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
- The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- City of Kamloops Senior Managers’ Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service
- Kamloops Best 150 Community Builders and Volunteers Recognition Award
- St. John Lifesaving Award
- Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way’s 2011 Volunteer Spirit Award
- Volunteer with Scouts Canada for 30 years
- Board member of the Valleyview Community Association
- Kamloops and District Seniors Outreach Society
- In 1995 was elected to the Branch Executive Committee for the Kamloops Branch of St. John Ambulance.  In 1999 took on the duties as Vice-Chair and then Committee Chair in 2005 when he was transferred from the Branch Executive Committee to the position of Division Superintendent of the Adult Brigade Division 518, Kamloops.
- Commissioner Steele Award – 2009 Leader of the Year and the Provincial Chair’s Commendation
- 2006 BC Summer Games Medical Committee
- 2010 World Masters Kamloops Indoor Championships Medical Director
- 2011 Western Canada Summer Games, First Aid/Medical Manager
- 2013 BC Senior Games in Kamloops, Medical Director
- Currently the Medical Director for the North American, Central American Caribbean (NACAC) Under 23 Athletic Championships (to be held in Kamloops in August 2014)

Mrs. Helen Saemerow

Helen was born in Poland and immigrated to Canada at a young age.  The family settled in Saskatchewan and then moved to Celista where Helen grew up.  She was exposed to community involvement at an early age, as the family helped fundraise, build and support the North Shuswap Community Hall.

Helen moved to the North Shore of Kamloops in 1944 to pursue a business course at St. Ann’s Academy.  Upon graduating, she commenced working at Inland Building Supplies.  When the owners decided to close the business, Helen and her husband Ray started Inland Building Supplies on the North Shore and continued to operate the business for 38 years, until their retirement in 2007.

During Helen’s time in business, many donations of cash and building supplies were generously given to Royal Inland Hospital, Cariboo College, City of Kamloops Parks and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.  When Brocklehurst was planning to build a hall, Helen was right there fundraising and volunteering.  She would help with vegetable sales, raffles, sale of debentures and dances.  The hall was built at the corner of Tranquille Road and Desmond Street.

Helen has been a life-long parishioner of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and has volunteered in fundraising and donations for the building of the church and the parish centre.  The Catholic Women’s League recently presented Helen with her 45 year service pin.

Helen is a founding member of the North Shore Business Association and has volunteered for over 25 years with the Kamloops Multicultural Society’s Canada Day celebrations.

Helen is dedicated to making Kamloops a brighter place to live and shows her generosity and dedication in numerous ways.

Ms. Janice Yeung

Janice moved from Vancouver to Kamloops in 2006 to pursue her undergraduate degree in Tourism Management at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).  In 2011, Janice graduated with a Resort and Hotel Management Diploma and Tourism Management Diploma from TRU.  Janice is a former Co-op Student, Student Project, Program and Events Assistant at TRU School of Business and Economics, and is an independent Special Events Contractor.

Janice’s TRU campus involvements are as follows:

- Career Ambassador – Career Education Department
- Engagement Leader/Mentor Candidate – Centre for Student Engagement
- Facilitator and Past Participant – Student Leadership Program
- Foundation Gala and Fundraising Campaign – TRU Foundation
- Organizing Committee member – 2012 TRU Student Leadership Conference
- Past Vice-President/Member at Large – Tourism Student Association
- Student Leader – TRUSU Student Caucus
- Student Representative – Student Engagement Senate Sub-Committee and Feedback Sub-Committee
- Volunteer for International Student Activity Program and International Days
- Work Study Student 2010 – Career Education
- Work Study Student 2011 – Office of Engagement and Retention
- Work Study Student 2014 – School of Business and Economics

Janice volunteers regularly with 2305 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps and 137 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Kamloops and instructed for the Kamloops Cadet Marching Band.  Through her connection with the cadet program, Janice has been able to assist in numerous community events, such as the annual Parkinson Walk, Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign, Lions Club Flea Market and Big Brothers and Sisters Strykes for Tykes.

Janice’s commitment to giving back to her community is demonstrated by the numerous organizations that she gives her time to.

The City of Kamloops appreciates the contributions from these citizens and their contribution of health and wellness to our community.
 

News from © iNFOnews, 2014
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