More Surreyites with a Cloverdale connection have been recognized with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medals for their significant achievements and service to their community.
Allan Cleaver, Beverly Robinson, and Will Rogers are among 12 medal recipients who were presented with the honour Dec. 7 by Surrey MLAs Kevin Falcon, Stephanie Cadieux and Dave Hayer.
A former Surrey Fire Chief, Cleaver also founded the Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives Society and is a long-time member of the Surrey Historical Society.
He was named in 2010 a Surrey Civic Treasure.
Robinson is a former Rotary Club of Cloverdale president and Rogers is a veteran Cloverdale paramedic whose Million Dollar Journey – involving an ulta triathlon each summer – has helped raise money and awareness for the Servants Anonymous Society, which helps women and exploited youth leave the sex trade.
“I’m extremely proud to see these people recognized for their tremendous service,” Falcon (Surrey-Cloverdale) said.
“They are distinguished men and women who have each worked tirelessly to enrich the community.”
Ac
cording to her nomination information, Elsie Preedy, a Port Kells resident, epitomizes the pioneer spirit that has made Surrey such a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
She helped raise money to build a swimming pool in Port Kells in the 1940s, and then helped the community build a fire hall.
More recently, she became active with the Port Kells hospital auxiliary, and was instrumental in the construction of Port Kells community hall, complementing a lifetime of community service.
[Will Rogers, pictured at left.]
“I am inspired by the dedication and pride each recipient exudes; they are all very deserving of this honour,” said Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Panorama.
Hayer, MLA for Surrey-Tynehead, added the recipients exemplify the best in all of us, and have put in a life of service for the greater good, “which has gone far beyond their own personal interests,” he said, improving the lives of many and serving as positive role models for us all.”
The medal was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, providing a tangible way to honour Her Majesty for her service.
Some 60,000 Canadians will be recognized this way, with 700 being presented by the provincial government. All B.C. MLAs have been involved in awarding medals to worthy recipients in their constituencies.
Other Jubilee medalists recognized last week include Beryl Hamilton, co-founder of Surrey Hospice Society, Bill McNamara, another founder of the Friends of the Surrey Museum and Archives Society and former firefighter, and 2012 B.C. Summer Games president, Rick Hansen Foundation ambassador to Surrey, Stan Leyenhorst, and painter Robb Dunfield, who also works for the Rick Hansen Foundation, and has helped other ventillator-dependent quadriplegics move from hospital to the community.
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