Humbled to Be Named a Community Champion
The slide Ron McKinnon showed during his online ceremony in September 2020.
Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labour for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster. – Wikipedia
I started volunteering with the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society in 2014. I’d moved into the area and came out to observe a salmon release in Hoy Creek.
After joining, the society lost its website as a former member had created it, and then he pulled it from the world wide web (?). I jumped in to help by creating their new website and started their Facebook page and manage both today.
At the time of this posting, I’m in the second term as president of the society. My personal goal has been to ensure the public, the City and local dignitaries are aware of the work we do and our challenges.
Towards that end, I invited the local MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Ron McKinnon for a tour of the hatchery.
Zoom Celebration: I was extremely humbled to be a part of an amazing group of champions! Others named as McKiinnons community champions were Ann Pratt, Polly Krier, Barry Brizza, Deon Feng, Luca Hung, Ravinder Safaya, Jamie Haakons and Keisha Go, as well as Robert Buringi and Carli Travers.
I was later surprised to hear that he had nominated me for his Community Spirit Award, an annual thing he does to recognize those in his jurisdiction that recognizes those that help the community.
"My annual award program, Community Champions recognizes the dedicated leaders and community volunteers in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam who work hard to build and better our community,” said Ron McKinnon Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. “There are so many unsung heroes in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam that make a difference in our lives every day."
Due to the pandemic, instead of gathering for a barbecue the MP hosts annually, we were called together on Zoom. Pre-empting that was home delivery dinner which was delish from Pantina Brewing & BBQ in Port Coquitlam.
McKinnon’s presentation stated, “Robbin Whachell is the president of the Hoy/Scott Watershed Society and a passionate environmental steward I was fortunate to tour Hoy Creek at the beginning of the year and hear firsthand about the amazing work being down by Robbin and the team under her leadership.”
I was able to say a few words and responded with, “I’d like to thank Ron McKinnon for this honour. I’m humbled and know that I stand with many other volunteers in my own organization, as well as other community groups or individuals who help make a difference where they live.”
Thanks for dinner Ron and Pantina!