The United Way of the Fraser Valley (UWFV) presented its annual Spirit Awards on Thursday night at Garden Park Tower in Abbotsford.
The awards recognize the organization's top supporters in several categories. The annual workplace fundraising campaign, which runs from September to December, collected almost $756,000 toward the $875,000 goal.
The awards dinner was emceed by Mayor Bruce Banman and featured a 1970s disco theme.
During the event, it was announced that current co-chair Bruce Howell (photo at left), CEO and president of Prospera Credit Union, will return to the position for a second year.
“I used to think the United Way was just a funding conduit,” Howell said. “It’s not. On getting involved I learned it is a whole lot more than that. The time invested directly by United Way staff in community building was a surprise for me."
He said one of the important things the UWFV does is to have conversations with local citizens, as well as with municipal government and community organizations, to determine local priorities and bring people together to work on them.
Joining Howell as co-chair this year is Robin Marshall (photo below), senior premier relationship manager with HSBC Bank Canada in Abbotsford.
"I am excited about increasing community awareness of all that the UWFV does and working with our team to deliver an ambitious campaign this year," Marshall said.
Recipients of the Spirit Awards were:
• Campaign of the Year – Scotiabank;
• Member Agency of the Year – Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services Society;
• Quantum Leap Spirit Award (more than 50 employees) – Aldergrove Credit Union;
• Quantum Leap Spirit Award (under 50 employees) – The Brick Warehouse in Chilliwack;
• Leadership Campaign Spirit Award – Service Canada;
• Employee Campaign Chair of the Year (more than 50 employees) – Fire Chief Ian Fitzpatrick, District of Mission;
• Employee Campaign Chair of the Year (under 50 employees) – Randy Peters, Prospera Credit Union, Clearbrook branch;
• Labour Participation Spirit Award – Fraser Valley Labour Council; and
• New Campaign of the Year Spirit Award – BC Hydro.