The Character Abbotsford Society is calling for nominations for the 2024 Character in Action Awards.
Three citizens will be recognized at the Character Abbotsford meeting on May 9, including one youth aged 24 and under. Recipients will receive a $500 gift card and a limited-edition character challenge coin.
This is the fifth anniversary of the city-wide initiative.
“We are looking to recognize individuals who have demonstrated character through an exemplary action or series of actions, often beyond the call of duty,” said Jory Smallenberg, Character Abbotsford vice-chair.
In 2023, Harpreet Jhinjar, Yobdee Marazzi and Raymonde Tickner were honoured.
Jhingar was recognized for his community engagement with parents of at-risk youth through the Pathways program.
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Tickner, known for leadership among volunteers, contributed more than 1,000 volunteer hours to the Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association.
Marazzi was recognized for her volunteer efforts at Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Bev Olfert, executive director of the Abbotsford Youth Commission, said the youth category is particularly important to “shine a spotlight on the good work that young people are doing right now and to encourage them to make service an integral part of their life.”
Council chair Vijay Manuel said the awards are an opportunity to “honour the citizens of our truly wonderful community.”
“The three annual recipients are in many ways symbolic of the thousands and thousands who live out respect, responsibility, empathy, integrity, courage and service on a daily basis,” he said.
Visit characterabbotsford.com to nominate someone for this year’s awards. Nominations will be accepted until April 26.
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