Ashcroft resident Vivian Edwards was one of 21 BC citizens awarded with the Medal of Good Citizenship for 2023.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
January 04, 2024 - 2:30 PM
Two hardworking and selfless Thompson-Okanagan residents have been recognized by the province for their community service and generosity.
Vivian Edwards of Ashcroft and Spring Hawes of Kelowna are recipients of the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship to be presented to them at a ceremony later this spring.
“Each one of these medal recipients has made their community a better place,” Premier David Eby said in a media release issued, Jan 3.
“They have shown kindness and generosity while making sacrifices for the benefit of others. Their contributions serve as a reminder to all of what we can do in ways large and small to improve life for everyone.”
Every year nominations are sifted through by a provincial selection committee who choose the most deserving citizens for their extraordinary contributions.
Edwards was chosen for her decades of work on local committees, her positive outlook and “lasting impacts on numerous organizations” in the community of Ashcroft. She helped to support families through the wildfire and heat dome of 2021.
Today the 81-year-old transports others to medical appointments, volunteers for Christmas Hamper program and helps low-income citizens with accounting and taxes.
“I’m absolutely overwhelmed, it’s amazing and I can’t believe I was nominated,” she said about the recognition. “There are so many volunteers in Ashcroft and we all do lots of work to help each other and others in the community. “I love small town communities and have many friends here. I like to keep busy and community service is just an important part of being here.”
Spring Hawes of Kelowna is “a trailblazer for accessibility and inclusion” in the Okanagan.
She has spent years advocating for inclusivity and as a wheelchair user addresses challenges faced by those with disabilities. In the past Hawes led efforts to increase accessibility in the Columbia Valley and sat on the board of non-profit organizations. She is involved in many provincial and federal advocacy efforts for disabled people.
Twenty-one recipients from across the province are receiving the medals at presentation ceremonies this spring.
“It’s an honour to recognize these unsung heroes in our communities," said minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Lana Popham in the release. "These people have gone out of their way to show kindness and help those in need, solely motivated by their desire to make life better for others. I extend my sincere appreciation to all of them for taking care of people and their communities.”
READ MORE: Jackpot for BC wildlife federation's 50/50 draw tops $200,000
Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round. Nominations for the 2024 cycle must be received by April 5, 2024. Any current or former long-term resident of B.C. is eligible to be nominated. Youth and posthumous nominations are welcome.
Go here to read for a complete list of this year’s recipients with biographies.
For information about the Medal of Good Citizenship, including how to nominate someone in your community.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.
News from © iNFOnews, 2024