Phil Jackman was named Langley’s H.D. Stafford Good Citizen of the Year Tuesday night.
Like all the other winners in past years, he was surprised to be chosen.
The local business owner and volunteer, who has poured his time and energy into a lengthy list of causes over the years, was called up to the stage to join previous winners at the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce dinner, a shocked look on his face.
One of the best things about living in Langley is this annual moment of surprise.
No one else could have been shocked, once they heard of the wide variety of causes Jackman has supported over the years, from cancer research to feeding the homeless.
Previous year’s winners have very similar records – thousands of hours poured into making our community, our province, our world a better place to live.
Yet every year, their first words are often about how honoured they are, how there are so many other deserving names they would have chosen.
Langley has a deep bench when it comes to volunteerism and community service. There isn’t a week in the year that doesn’t have some worthy cause fundraising, or a public event crewed by volunteers.
Behind those events, there are hundreds of folks doing quiet work without pay, without fanfare, without expectation of recognition, simply because they believe in doing the right thing.
Jackman’s deserved honour reminds us of what makes our community truly great – its people.
– M.C.