A Langley woman is among 12 British Columbians to receive the highest honour the province can bestow.
Donna Crocker received the Order of British Columbia during a ceremony held at Government House in Victoria on Monday.
The award is an acknowledgment of Crocker’s efforts to make life easier for those who call the streets of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside home.
Fifteen years ago, Crocker was invited by her sister-in-law, a caterer, to help distribute leftover food from an event to the streets of Canada’s poorest neighbourhood.
Shortly thereafter, the Langley woman started a street ministry which she calls Friendship Providers in Action. Every Sunday, Crocker leads a team of volunteers serving food to more than 700 people, most of whom are homeless.
Crocker works tirelessly to collect donations, she organizes lawyers to buy blankets each year for her street ministry to distribute, collects new clothing from a contact in the industry and distributes it through shelters across the Lower Mainland.
Crocker also became a hospital chaplain so she could spend time with street residents who are sick or dying. She sits on the board of the Salvation Army — a position that provides her with access to shelters and detox centres to which she can direct people.
The people on the streets know how much Crocker loves and cares for them. Her actions bear this out, every day of the year.
For 23 years, deserving British Columbians have been invested with the Order of British Columbia for their volunteerism, philanthropy and leadership,” said Lieut.-Gov. Judith Guichon, Chancellor of the Order.
“It gives me great pride to bestow this honour upon these exceptional citizens for the work they’ve done and continue to do in their communities and throughout the province.”
“The Order of British Columbia is the highest honour we can give — and through their extraordinary contributions and accomplishments, each of this year’s recipients have distinguished themselves,” said Premier Christy Clark.