For the South Interior Branch, our selection committee is Dennis Duncan, Stew Wallach, and Donna Wallach.

We carefully reviewed the four applications received and unanimously chose Elissa Coe as the deserving recipient.

Elissa has been a volunteer for many years, including the Vancouver Aquarium with her mom, the Canskate program at the North Surrey Skating club, the Special Olympics skating program, preschool program at church, Soaring Eagle Nature school kids day camp and Team Ambassador for Canadian Association for Girls in Science as a role model for girls interested in STEM. She also took a leadership role with a youth band at the church and one-time opportunities such as playing Christmas carols for seniors and volunteering for the B.C. Winter Games.

Elissa and her parents were invited to our June luncheon, where we presented her with a certificate and cheque for $500 as well as a copy of Voices from Bridge River.

Per Stew: ”Today is a special day. With all the strife going on in the world today it’s nice to have something positive to talk about. Every year I have the task of going through applicants for the Community Service Award from graduating students that take pride in the community and volunteer for many services that provide service for the needy. To see what the kids are up to these days gives me great hope for the future. Every year one of these applicants rises to the top and today it gives me great pleasure to award the $500 prize to Elissa Coe.”