Finalists

PORT MCNEILL FIRE RESCUE

Port McNeill Fire Rescue was established in 1951, and over those 68 years of service, the firefighters have gone above and beyond when it comes to helping those who are in need. Port McNeill Fire Rescue not only attends fires and motor vehicle accidents in town, but also neighbouring communities like Zeballos, Alert Bay, and Sointula. They are always out supporting local events while holding fundraisers for various causes. Port McNeill Fire Rescue has spent many hours educating the youth at the local schools about fire safety, and they also put on a fantastic fireworks display every year for the community.

 

HEATHER BROWN

Heather Brown is the creator of the beautiful floral fence beside the A-Frame Church in Port McNeill. Heather encouraged many others to participate in the project, whether they believed themselves to be artistic or not. It took quite a few hours of work, but Heather lead the group and devoted many, many hours to this project. Heather’s artwork also adorns electrical boxes and other unsightly objects around the harbour. She also teaches art and helps to foster creativity in everyone she meets.

ANNA BURGESS

Anna Burgess grew up in Port Hardy and has been instrumental in keeping North Island beaches clean since moving back home in 2015. Anna has teamed up in the past with Living Oceans, a nonprofit society founded in Sointula, to promote cleanups at Grant Bay and Hecht Beach. Along with her friends, she is always looking to get involved in environmental causes to ensure our North Island beaches stay beautifully pristine and free from debris.

CLAYTON HARDER

Clayton Harder is constantly volunteering for numerous jobs and positions, whether it is for the Port McNeill Baptist Church, as a youth advocate for School District 85, or as a youth representative for the chamber of commerce. Clayton never complains, just volunteers his time and shows how excited he is to be helping with whatever needs to be done. He has spent a lot of working volunteering for numerous causes, all while holding down a job, going to school, and taking on college courses.

KATHY ILLETT

Kathy Illett has lived in the North Island for more than 20 years. She has worked as a paramedic for over 25 years, is the acting unit chief for BC Ambulance, and is also a first aid instructor for North Island College. Kathy is a force to be reckoned with, a jill of all trades, but always comes back to emergency services. She has worked tirelessly over the years at her profession, and is also involved in community paramedicine services, working to improve access to healthcare for all North Island residents.

AMANDA JORGENSON

Amanda Jorgenson is a primary care paramedic/community paramedic who shows true compassion for each and every person she encounters. Amanda goes the extra mile to get the best results for her patients. She has lived in the North Island since 1995 and started out her career as a emergency medical responder. Her passion for the emergency services industry comes from her desire to be there for people during their toughest moments. Amanda loves giving back to the community of Port Alice whenever she gets the chance, and you can find her at various events all year round.

CYNDY GRANT AND JACKIE HUNT

Co-chair’s Cyndy Grant and Jacqueline Hunt teamed up with a committee of eight other volunteers to help organize and put together one of the greatest minor hockey events Port Hardy has ever seen, the Tier 3 Bantam BC Championships, which was held in March this year at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena. A lot of time and effort went into planning and executing the tournament and making sure it ran smoothly. The entire committee truly went above and beyond to ensure the players, coaches, and families had an unbelievable experience that they will cherish forever.

CHRISTINA HINTON

Christina Hinton is the noon hour supervisor for North Island Secondary School, and not only does she almost single-handedly organize the Christmas Craft Fair each year, she is also a long-time Lioness member and a perpetual, reliable volunteer to any other group who asks for her help. She is “ever present” at any community event in Port McNeill and loves to give back to her community whenever she can. Christina is a tireless worker who’s passion and love for the Town of Port McNeill shines through in everything she does.

ANDRIAN PENDERGAST

Adrian endergas as een the Vice-Principal at Port Hardy Secondary School since 2015 and is the creator of the innovative forestry academy, where students are able to experience the industry and learn about the values and traditional uses of the forest here in the North Island. Adrian will be transferring to the Gulf Islands next year, and he wanted to say thank you to the community for all of the support over the years and that he has had an amazing time living here in the North Island.

ALANA COLINS

Alana Collins runs the Portside Academy of Performing Arts in Port McNeill, and the community is always wowed by her brilliant choreography, eye for precision, and the overall beauty in the performances that she creates. Many talented dancers have come and gone in the North Island over the years, and Alana has always been front and center helping each one of them achieve their goals. Her hard work and dedication is showcased for all to see whenever they hold recitals or travel down island to compete.

 

MIKE BELL

Mike Bell has been coaching minor hockey in the North Island for 34 years. At the end of 2017, Mike stepped up to the plate and agreed to coach The Tri-Port Midget Wild, giving the girls incredible leadership over their last two seasons. Mike, not having a kid of his own on the team, volunteered his time to make it possible for the girls to continue playing hockey. With his positive, upbeat personality, he brought the team together to win their first league banner last year, not to mention winning gold medals at multiple tournaments all over Vancouver Island and on the mainland. The Wild wanted to say thank you to Mike for making their last years in minor hockey the most memorable times of their lives.