UFV seeks nominations for Betty Urquhart Community Service award

Elizabeth Melnick of the non-profit Elizabeth’s Wildlife Centre is a past winner of the Betty Urquhart Community Service award. UFV is seeking nominations for this year..

Do you know an unsung hero?

You know the type: they work hard making our community a better place through their volunteerism, with little or no recognition.

And they’re not expecting any. But wouldn’t it be nice to give them some?

Consider nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service award.

Every year, the University of the Fraser Valley honours a community member (or group) who makes a difference in our community through their volunteer work on a specific project or with an organization.

The Betty Urquhart award is designed to reflect UFV’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its communities.

The winning project, person, or organization must have had a significant impact on the community. The recipient of the award must have played a major role in the planning and implementation of the project, which must have been undertaken at least partially as a volunteer endeavour and not as part of anyone’s salaried or contractual obligations. The project must have taken place at least partially during the immediately preceding year.

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Betty Urquhart was one of the founding employees of the university and believed strongly in volunteering and giving back to the community. Betty passed away in 1995, but UFV keeps her memory alive by honouring a person or group exemplifying her commitment to life-long learning and community.

Some recent past winners of the annual Betty Urquhart award include:

Mike Straiton , Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association, for his efforts to help facilitate healing, crime prevention, and rehabilitation within the Chilliwack community

Mike Csoka, Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, for his work on providing school lunches to children in need

Elizabeth Melnick, Elizabeth’s Wildlife Centre, Abbotsford,

The Crystal Gala Foundation of Abbotsford

Kosum Soni of Mission for her work with vulnerable communities

Veronica Back of Mission for her outreach activity

Brittany Clough of Chilliwack for her volunteer efforts with teenage girls on self-esteem issues

The award will be presented at the UFV retirees’ dinner in November, and is part of UFV’s continuing commitment to changing lives and building community.

The award includes $1,500 to be given to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Nominate a community hero now! The deadline is Thurs, Sept 5.

Find out more at: ufv.ca/betty