Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Suzanne Anton, on behalf of Premier Christy Clark, will present Lorna Gibbs, a well-known Vancouver citizen, with the Province’s significant honour, the Medal of Good Citizenship.

The ceremony will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House.

Launched in July 2015 by Premier Christy Clark, the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes individuals who, through exceptional long-term service, have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward. The medal reflects their generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to community life. Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round.

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Gibbs is a dedicated community volunteer and vocal advocate for improving the programs, services and facilities of Vancouver South. She has participated in numerous community development issues, committees and agencies, focusing especially on seniors’ needs.

In addition to her service on a range of boards and committees, Gibbs is a founding member and president of the Southeast Vancouver Seniors’ Centre Society. In this capacity she is a leading voice to reach out and capture the needs of thousands of seniors through her advocacy for a new seniors recreation centre in Southeast Vancouver. Through her work on a variety of seniors’ programs, services and issues, Gibbs has changed the lives of many seniors and has inspired many more to contribute to their community. In 2014, Gibbs was rewarded for her efforts to bring all three levels of government together when funding was secured to build a Seniors’ Activity Centre in South Vancouver.

A resident of Vancouver for more than 30 years, Gibbs has also brought seniors from diverse ethnic backgrounds together to gather stories, including translation and editing, and resulting in two published books: Stories of Southeast Vancouver, and Meals and Memories, an illustrated cookbook. This work brought happiness and greater understanding and friendship to the hundreds of seniors who were involved.

Other volunteer services given by Gibbs include: board director of Champlain Heights Community Association and the Killarney Community Centre Association; chair and president of Southvan Neighbourhood House; and member of the Citizen Advisory Committee – Victoria Fraserview Killarney, East Fraserlands Committee, and the Everett Crowley Parks Committee.

Gibbs is among a select group of British Columbians who will receive the Medal of Good Citizenship in ceremonies over the next few months.

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Quotes:

Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia –

“A powerful ambassador for seniors with a natural gift for bringing people together, Lorna Gibbs was one of the key drivers behind a new seniors’ centre that makes a real difference for entire families.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and chair of the Medal of Good Citizenship Selection Committee –

“The Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes the people in our province who generously and selflessly volunteer their time, effort and skills to make their community better. It was inspiring to work with the selection committee to review nominations and see how one person can make a difference. This year, as we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, it is important to recognize individuals who make their communities and, ultimately, their country better.”

Suzanne Anton, MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview –

“Lorna has led the charge on the South Vancouver Service Centre for over 15 years – and now it is being built. As a longtime community volunteer, Lorna is able to mobilize and inspire senior citizens into action. Her achievements are remarkable and all her efforts are done in the spirit of making her community better.”

Lorna Gibbs, Medal of Good Citizenship recipient –

“It is a great honour to receive this medal, which I am really accepting on behalf of the thousands of fellow seniors who joined hands with me to see a seniors’ centre for all of East Vancouver become a reality. These dedicated seniors stayed the course for years as we kept our primary goal in mind. It took a lot of manpower and could not have been done by one person.”

Quick Facts:

• The Medal of Good Citizenship was launched in 2015 to recognize individuals who, through exceptional long-term volunteer efforts, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of their communities.
• Since the first medal was presented in October 2015, 22 individuals and two communities have been named as recipients of the Medal of Good Citizenship.
• Nominations for the Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round.
• An independent Selection Committee reviews nominations and recommends recipients.
• All regions in the province were represented on the Medal of Good Citizenship Selection Committee and members came from various professional backgrounds.
• Additional medal presentation ceremonies will be held across the province in the coming months.

Learn More:

To learn more about the medal, or to nominate a good citizen in your community, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/medalofgoodcitizenship

To view photos of recipient ceremonies, visit:  https://flic.kr/s/aHskw9MKjm

Find out more about past recipients of the Medal of Good Citizenship: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/celebrating-british-columbia/honours-and-awards/medal-good-citizenship/recipients