Three accomplished Abbotsford residents have joined the ranks of the Order of Abbotsford.
On Monday evening, Mayor Bruce Banman and council honoured Laughie Bell, Dennis Hill and Dr. Elizabeth June Watt with the award.
Banman said the award "honours individuals who have served with the greatest distinction."
Bell was given the award for his contribution to minor hockey in Abbotsford, having served as a volunteer in the minor hockey community for over 30 years. He served in many executive positions with the Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association, including as president. He later became a district director of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association.
Hill was recognized for his contributions to the Abbotsford Citizen's Patrol, an organization he joined in 1995. He serves as chairperson for the executive committee under the umbrella of community policing for the Abbotsford Police Department, and has been instrumental in securing decommissioned police vehicles to support the expansion of the citizens' patrol duties.
Watt was awarded the Order of Abbotsford in recognition of her contributions to a variety of health-related community organizations. She served as medical director of the Women's Health Centre in Abbotsford and as lead physician at the Abbotsford Youth Health Centre. She has volunteered a large amount of time in assisting in the training of physicians in dealing with the health issues of the city's most vulnerable citizens.
There are now 61 recipients of the Order of Abbotsford.
All three recipients are invited to Canada Day celebrations being held July 1 at Abbotsford's Exhibition Park. During the day-long event, one of them will be named Abbotsford's Citizen of the Year.