Members of the community who help to make the Township of Langley the great place it is were recognized for all their efforts on Thursday evening. Residents joined Township of Langley Council at the Langley Events Centre to pay tribute to Langley’s exceptional volunteers, its top students, and those who work together to improve life for others.
Among the awards handed out was the John and Muriel Arnason Volunteers of the Year Award which honours two people who are advocates of literacy, culture, and learning, and work together as a team to make the Township a better place through charitable, philanthropic, or other means.
The award was created in memory of Muriel Arnason, the first woman to be elected to Township council, and her husband John.
Muriel, who was made Freewoman of the Township in 2006, served on Council for 26 years, and was fully supported by her husband in her political pursuits, as well as in her initiatives to foster the arts, education, and literacy.
It was awarded to Walter and Jan Poustie.
For 26 years, Walter and Janice Poustie have been members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Twenty of those years have been spent in the Township, where they are known for being extremely dedicated — and extremely humble.
Viewing their volunteer and charitable work as part of their life’s values and responsibilities, this Aldergrove couple has served both the Langley and Aldergrove branches of the Legion.
They can be counted on to participate in special events and ceremonies, with Walter acting as Parade Marshall and leading the Langley Legion Pipes and Drums Band. A retired teacher, Janice volunteers twice a week at a local elementary school, helping students who need a little extra attention, while Walter is a mentor to the youth involved in a variety of Legion programs.
Other nominees were Elizabeth and Michael Pratt.
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The Eric Flowerdew Volunteer of the Year Award, which this year was given to Bruce Mavis, is presented annually to recognize the contributions that a volunteer makes to the community. It honours an individual’s outstanding dedication to the promotion of quality of life through creative, cultural, physical, or social pursuits, and to the enhancement of the Township of Langley’s community spirit.
Eric Flowerdew was a school trustee, municipal councillor, and member of the Langley Hospital Board. His commitment to volunteerism was unfailing, and in 1974 the Flowerdew family honoured his name with the award.
Mavis, a devoted volunteer with the Langley RCMP’s Community Policing programs.
He may be better known as his furry alter ego — Safety Bear.
Bruce was the much appreciated but unknown individual who would don the mascot’s costume and attend community events and parades, sweating in the heat and getting soaked in rainstorms.
He also worked on Community Policing projects and displays, his most memorable being his Letters to Santa project.
As a postal worker, Bruce would collect the letters that had been sent to Santa each Christmas. He would bring them back to Community Policing staff, who would write return letters on behalf of the Jolly Old Elf, then Bruce would make sure they were mailed to the kids.
A fixture at the Fort Langley National Historic Site for more than two decades, Bruce is also known to dress up on behalf of the Friends of the Fort to promote our community’s history.
He has accumulated more than 700 hours of service at the site, co-ordinating volunteer activities, conducting outreach, helping with heritage projects, and doing meet and greet functions.
Bruce is also involved with the Langley Heritage Society, and for the annual Douglas Day banquet he always ensures that volunteers dress in period costume and that the Royal Engineers are front and centre at community events.
He has been a driver with Langley Meals on Wheels since 1992 and served on the board and as president, and helps people who have had strokes get in and out of the pool and walk in the water at the W.C. Blair Recreation Centre.
He is a long-time Langley resident whose ancestors are original pioneers: his great-grandfather purchased the Fort Langley property from the Hudson’s Bay Company in the late 1880s.
Today, Mavis Street in Fort Langley bears his family’s name, and Bruce continues to be dedicated to the village in a variety of ways, acting as Santa for children and as an interpreter for visitors from other countries.
Mavis was selected to be a Torch Bearer during the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay when it came through Langley, and he is a great ambassador for locals and tourists.
Other nominees for the Eric Flowerdew Award were Shar Dubas, Peter Luongo and Janet Megahy.
“It is our pleasure to recognize these exemplary volunteers and to pay tribute to all the dedicated and enthusiastic residents who give so much of their time and energy to others,” said Township Mayor Jack Froese.
“It is people like these who make our community such a great place.”