An Abbotsford philanthropist was among 24 people honoured last Thursday in Victoria for their exceptional community service.
Vivian Trethewey received the BC Achievement Community Award in a presentation presided over by B.C. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin at Government House.
Trethewey has supported several local charities and initiatives over the years, including a $1 million donation to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation last year.
The money was used to replace an aging CT scanner at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Trethewey has said that she has a particular interest in helping those in poverty and struggling with addictions.
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With that in mind, she has sent donations of $100,000 or more to organizations such as Kinghaven Treatment Centre.
She and her husband, Alan Trethewey, were also instrumental in the formation of the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF).
The couple made a substantial donation to the Matsqui Parks and Recreation Commission in 1978.
The directors of the commission felt the donation could have a greater impact if it was invested in perpetuity, with the revenues from the investment spent annually.
A foundation was established and, after a few name changes, it evolved into the ACF in 2002.
Since its inception, the ACF has distributed more than $10.5 million in grants to charitable organizations and in student awards.
Trethewey is also an advocate for groups such as the MSA Museum Society and The Reach Gallery Museum.
Recipients of the BC Achievement Community Award are selected by an independent committee.
The BC Achievement Foundation was established by the provincial government in 2003 to celebrate excellence and achievement in B.C.
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