April 22, 2010

Citizens recognized for their contributions to the community

Kamloops, B.C. - The Distinguished Service Award was bestowed upon Sue Adams, Jan Cook, Elizabeth (Liz) Lyne, Izzy McQueen, and Ron Maguire (Freedom of the City Award), last evening at a reception in their honour at the Interior Savings Centre. These citizens, nominated by their peers, contribute their time and make a difference in our community.

Sue Adams has called Kamloops home for the last 17 years. She has made countless contributions to our community through formal organizations and independent efforts such as turning her home into a Haunted House at Halloween for the past 5 years to fundraise and collect on behalf of the Kamloops Food Bank; as well, she collects common items for the local Homeless Shelter.

Sue joined the Kamloops Lions Club with her two sons Nicolas and Robert, where they spent 5 years raising money with the Lions Club for local initiatives. Two of those years Sue spent on the Lions Board of Directors. She also created a jump rope program and implemented this program in area schools which supports the Kamloops Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Additionally, 2010 will mark the 3rd year that Sue has been involved with the Hot Nite in the City car show and she is the person who lobbied hard to introduce commercial vehicles to the venue.

Jan Cook has made numerous contributions to Kamloops through the many organizations she has been involved with.

These organizations include:

• Kamloops Chamber of Commerce (President);
• Royal Inland Hospital (President of the Evening Auxiliary and life member in fundraising and administration);
• Kamloops Hospice (Founding Member);
• Royal Inland Hospital (Board Member);
• TRU Nursing Program (Board Member);
• TRU International Students (Home stay parent for 25 years);
• Kamloops Home Support (Board Member);
• TRU International Students (Board Member);
• Cancer Control Agency, Vancouver, BC (Board Member);
• Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (Board Member);
• Miss Kamloops Ambassador Program (Board Member);
• Communities in Bloom (Board Member);
• Beautify Kamloops (Vice President);
• Heritage Commission (Member);
• Kamloops Rotary Club (Administration Director).

Jan has called Kamloops home for the last 45 years and has had a very active role as a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Kamloops with her involvement beginning prior to becoming an active member. Jan’s late husband Earl was a long time member and among other contributions, Earl and Jan hosted the first ever Rotary exchange students who arrived in the early 1970s.

L-R Ron Maguire, Mayor Peter Milobar, Sue Adams, Jan Cook, Elizabeth Lyne, Izzy McQueen

Elizabeth (Liz) Lyne has lived in Kamloops for the past 49 years. She is a widow with five children and five grandchildren. Liz lives on a small farm in Rayleigh and sells her plants and produce at the local Farmer’s Market when she is not busy volunteering.

Liz has been associated with the Ukrainian Orthodox community for over 30 years, teaching Ukrainian language classes and folk dancing. She still volunteers teaching Easter egg decorating to local school children and others as well as looks after the catering and bookings for the Ukrainian Orthodox Centre. She has had a very active role in raising funds to help the community build the new church on 8th Street and still volunteers regularly for events held at the church. She has been a member of the Kamloops Multicultural Society for over 30 years and has represented the Ukrainian Orthodox community at the Canada Day/Folkfest event with the display and food booth. She is the Past President of the Kamloops Multicultural Society and continues to assist the society with various activities.

Izzy McQueen has lived in Kamloops since 1966. She is married, has 2 sons, 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Izzy has been a member of the Kamloops Lions Club for the past 30 years volunteering through the club for various community activities. She was recently awarded the Melvin Jones Award from Lions International, which is the highest service award given out by the Lions Club.

Izzy has also been involved with Canada Post for the last 24 years bringing joy to youngsters in replying to letters sent to Santa. She was previously involved with the Cattle Drive and just recently, a volunteer for the World Masters Championships held in March.

Ron Maguire received the highest honour that can be bestowed by the City, the Freedom of the City Award. Ron has resided in Kamloops for 49 years. He graduated from Kam High in 1965 and owns and operates 5 A & W Restaurants in Kamloops since becoming a business owner in 1985.

Some of Ron's accomplishments include:

• Coach for Minor Softball and Football at St. Ann’s Academy, McArthur Park Jr. and Kam High;
• Executive on the North Kamloops Curling Club for 6 years;
• Founding Member Kamloops Collegiate Baseball Society Funds and Administrators WolfPack Baseball Program for 11 years (9 years served as President). This year the TRU baseball team will host the National Championship in May and Ron is on the Volunteer Board organizing this event;
• Board of Directors of the Kamloops Blazers (2003-2007) as Alumni Committee Chair and Marketing Committee member;
• Board of Directors for the Kamloops Blazers Sports Legacy Fund (2007-Present) as Allocations Committee Chair and Governance Committee member;
• Interior Community Services Board of Directors for the past 2 years;
• Bob Winters Memorial Golf Tournament, (supports TRU Baseball, Golf and Hockey programs);
• A & W Charity Funspiel, organizing member and sponsor, fundraiser for North Shore BIA and Meals on Wheels through Interior Community Services.

In addition to the accomplishments previously noted, Ron has unselfishly donated his time and financial support to many groups including the Blazers Sports Society, Kamloops Storm, North Kamloops BIA, the Kamloops International Baseball Tournament and many others.

All recipients of the awards were humbled by the recognition stating their efforts go to benefit the community they love so much. They acknowledged the hard work of the many Kamloops residents who give of their time and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

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Media Contact:
Mayor Peter Milobar
City of Kamloops
250-828-3494
mayor@kamloops.ca