Jane Cooper (left) holds newly dedicated volunteer award named
in Christine Wiebe's (right) honour
When Christine Wiebe's adult son starting reading almost seven pages of her volunteer resume tonight, I wondered if anyone will ever be able to repeat her record.
If they even come close to it, they will likely be the recipient of a new Volunteer Abbotsford Award that will have Christine's name on it. Jane Cooper, executive director of the organization, was proud to make the announcement tonight at the "Celebrating Christine" event at The Reach Gallery Museum.
I've known Christine for some 28 years. I even attended her wedding when she married Chuck Wiebe so many moons ago.
She was the executive assistant to such Abbotsford political titans as MLAs Bill Ritchie and Peter Dueck before she moved full-time into the world of volunteerism, playing key roles with Expo 86 and Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of B.C. and the 2010 Olympics.
Her friends, family members and colleagues watched an amazing PowerPoint presentation on the wall of The Reach where it was revealed she has touched the lives of some 1.3 million people, give or take one or two.
What else has she done over the past 35 years? Do you have a couple of hours?
She focused her energies on MSA Museum, Abbotsford International Airshow, the 1995 Western Canada Summer Games in Abbotsford, the Disability Games, the Crystal Gala committee, and Heritage Fair.
She played a key role in the Clayburn Church restoration project, helped start Volunteer Abbotsford . . . and the lists goes on.
Christine said if people begin volunteering when they are young, "they grow with the community and form a good, strong base for that community. There is a great deal of pride and satisfaction in being out in the community, mixing with the people doing your job and meeting needs within a community."
At the moment Christine is the lead volunteer for the remarkable new Bakerview EcoDairy in Abbotsford.
It is said that her dedication, passion and commitment to Abbotsford is inspiring and contagious. I know that is true.
So who came to help her celebrate tonight? Let's take a look.
University of the Fraser Valley president Mark Evered, Volunteer Abbotsford president Doug Edgar and businessman Jati Sidhu were there.
Ron Price (centre), president and CEO of Abbotsford Airshow Society, came to wish Christine all the best.
Mark Taylor, the city's manager of parks, recreation and culture, posed with long-time news photographer John Morrow at Christine's celebration.
Former Abbotsford mayor George Ferguson and his wife, Rea, attended.
Despite the resignation of Premier Gordon Campbell earlier in the day, Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen sang Christine's praises.
And of course John Morrow had to have one last pose with my wife, Kathleen, who thinks the world of Christine. "She's one of a kind!"
If you want to be a stellar volunteer, consider this summit on Nov. 19 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference centre.
The world needs more people like Christine Wiebe.
Cheers.
Not only was Christine a member of the Crystal Gala Committee, she chaired it! And thanks to her and the many other women who have given their time and sweat equity, we're about to celebrate our 12th annual Crystal Gala on November 6 at Abbotsford's Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre. www.CrystalGala.com
:)
Posted by: Kathleen Rake | 2010.11.04 at 08:36 AM