Rick Rake

Celebrating Christine Wiebe: Abbotsford's volunteer machine

 
 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.

Websters: Very best in B.C. journalism.

 

Alison Yesilcimen, Kelowna publisher turned entrepreneur, looks at her copy of a simple script and asks me: "Who is going to present the Webster? Who is going to say . . . and the winner is?"

Without flipping a coin, we decide Alison, my co-juror, will read the magical words for our category in front of a lively Hyatt Regency ballroom audience of 1,000. They've come to see who is the best in B.C. journalism for the 24th annual Jack Webster Awards.

I will present the glass hardware.

Webster is a legend in journalism. He died in 1999, but saw what the foundation named in his honour was doing to inspire quality journalism through recognition and professional development.

 

Today's blog is not about the winners, the compelling speech by Bruce Hutchison lifetime achievement recipient Jim Taylor or the wonderful words by guest CBC broadcaster Adrienne Arsenault (with her mischievous look and green dress on the big Webster screen).

 
No, this is a pictorial stroll  through the awards night with some light commentary along the way.  Awards nights are often about the food, the people, and the anticipation.

 
Yes, chicken was on the menu, but before that we shared a few special refreshments with the Webster Foundation trustees on the hotel's 34th floor.

 
 
We met some top students who represent the future of journalism.

 
We bumped into lead juror Helen Slinger (centre - recently named among the Top 100 influential women in B.C. by the Vancouver Sun) and  fellow juror Jerry Thompson.

 
And then the flood of familiar faces rushed in . . . Mike Harcourt and Moura Quayle.

  
Guest speaker Vaughn Palmer (with Mike Smyth) and his colleagues.

 
I shared a few sailing stories with journalist and Gulf Yacht Club member Nick Palmer (left, below) and  talked about social media with old friend and Vancouver Sun deputy online managing editor Paul Bucci.

 
We bumped into Simon Fraser University public affairs and communications boss Don MacLachlan.  His wife Barbara has a keen eye for photography.

 
Renowned musician Dal Richards was back at the Webster Awards.

 
It was time to move into the Hyatt ballroom where my wife, Kathleen, met former Conservative politician and senator Pat Carney.

 
Jack Webster Foundation executive director (and awards miracle worker) Nora Newlands took the time to pose with juror Iona Campagnolo.

 
Then the screens on either side of the Hyatt stage came to life as our hosts Tamara Taggart and Perry Solkowski approached the podium.

 
Co-juror Alison Yesilcimen and her guest, Bob Wilson, account executive with Rogers, were ready to be our table mates.

 
 
More meal courses were served and people started visiting again.  Our table was graced with the presence of Crystal Orchison of the Mission Record and her friend David Hoff, a Webster Foundation trustee.

  
When it was time to leave we ran into Greg Johnson (centre below) of Pace Group which years ago arranged Harmony Airways fam trips for us to New York City and Maui.  He was with a radio buddy and Paula Amos of the Aboriginal Association of BC.

 

One last embrace was left for Marlyn Graziano, editorial director for Postmedia Community Publishing.  She is one of the most upbeat journalism executives we know. 

 

Will you be at the Websters in 2011?  Cheers.