The City of Pitt Meadows is proud to announce the recipients of the fifth annual Community Service Awards.

“Residents of Pitt Meadows consistently go the extra mile to support their neighbours,” says Mayor Nicole 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 City congratulates the following recipients of the 2023 Community Service Awards:

1.    The Against the Odds Achievement Award, which recognizes individuals successfully overcoming extraordinary obstacles, being resilient in difficult times and situations, and showing perseverance during exceptional circumstances, is awarded to:

Chris Ellis for his commitment to the Golden Ears Pickleball Club, despite significant physical and mental health challenges. Under his leadership, the club has secured playing time, landed sponsorships, and become one of the fastest-growing clubs in BC. He initiated the first ever Pickleball tournament in Pitt Meadows in honour of professional player, Steve Deakin, drawing participants from all over BC. Chris, a retired RCMP officer dealing with PTSD and multiple back surgeries, is deeply appreciated for his volunteer efforts in Pitt Meadows.

2.    The Community Service Award, which recognizes exemplary leadership and outstanding community service without regard for personal gain, is awarded to:

Len Pierre for his dedication as an educator and traditional knowledge keeper. Len is Coast Salish from q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) First Nation. He received a Master’s Degree in Education from Simon Fraser University focusing on Indigenous education and program leadership. Today, he and his consultant group develop and facilitate educational programs and services, and share free, educational Truth and Reconciliation information online. Len is recognized for his leadership, teachings, and outstanding contributions toward Truth and Reconciliation.

3.    The Community Service Youth Award, which recognizes the positive contributions of a youth under 18 years, who has provided outstanding service to the community without regard for personal gain, is awarded to:

Sienna Gubert for her commitment to her fellow students in the community. As a student leader, she plans school events and tutors local elementary students. Recently, Sienna represented Pitt Meadows Secondary School at the SD42 Student Voice forum, where she shared an original poem about the high school experience. The City is proud of this young leader for making a difference in the community.

4.    The Good Neighbour Award, which recognizes an individual’s contributions to their neighbourhood community through acts of kindness, is awarded to:

Everett Crowdis for his efforts in establishing the Alouette Men’s Shed (AMS). AMS is a new grassroots organization that assists the community with building projects. The group has gained 75 members since it began last year and is a social lifeline for many of its members. The group has completed several community projects, including work for the Pitt Meadows Museum. For his leadership and dedication to AMS, Everett has earned the community’s appreciation.

5.    The Business of the Year Award, which recognizes a local business that, on a regular basis, contributes to the overall quality of life in Pitt Meadows through community service endeavours, is awarded to:

The Jolly Coachman Pub in recognition of their philanthropic efforts and dedication to the community’s well-being. The pub supports local organizations through monetary and prize donations and is a welcoming gathering spot for them. The Jolly Coachman was founded in 1999 and continues to be a cornerstone in Pitt Meadows. The City deeply values their contribution to the community.

6.    The Spirit of Pitt Meadows Award, which recognizes the contributions of an individual for their overall outstanding community service, dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Pitt Meadows, is awarded to:

Susan and Richard Harmston for their outstanding volunteerism. They have volunteered numerous hours with city special events and sports including forming the slo-pitch league in 1989. Richard was a member of the Pitt Meadows Fire Department for 32 years and helped initiate the Salmon BBQ at Pitt Meadows Day. They have a passion for Pickleball and were instrumental in advocating for outdoor Pickleball courts in the City. They have served on the Golden Ears Pickleball Club board of directors since 2022 and successfully organized this year’s Pickleball tournament. Their ongoing volunteer work in the community is highly valued by the City.

“Congratulations to this year’s Community Service Award winners,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “We are pleased to recognize their valuable contributions to our community and are grateful for those who nominated them.”

Nominations were received, reviewed and selected by the citizen-led task force. Thank you to the 2023 Community Service Awards Task Force, which included Gay Conn, Hudson Campbell, Lindsay Bissett, and Margaret Bakstad.
The recipients will be presented with their awards at a private event in 2024. For more information or to view past award winners, visit pittmeadows.ca/awards.