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Winners and nominees for the 2023 Volunteers Are Stars Awards, held April 19 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. For more information on the event and the volunteers who were recognized, visit rcrg.org/vas.
Photo courtesy Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives
Key community contributors recognized at Volunteers are Stars Awards
Published 11:47 PDT, Tue April 25, 2023
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On Wednesday, April 19, the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel played host to the 2023 Volunteers Are Stars Awards, marking the first time in three years the event has been held in person.
Organized by Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), Volunteers Are Stars is a celebration of community service, recognizing individuals and groups for their volunteer contributions.
The event highlighted 31 nominees across four categories, with one winner selected in each.
The Nova Star Award, recognizing outstanding individual volunteers, was presented to Leon Chew, who has volunteered over 2,500 hours with St. John Ambulance, initially as a first aid attendant, and now as Officer in Charge of the organization’s Richmond division.
The Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Shop, which is operated by a team of 103 volunteers, won the Constellation Award for outstanding volunteer group. All proceeds from the store support local healthcare initiatives, including patient services and the purchase of medical equipment.
The Shooting Star Award, honouring the achievements of youth volunteers, was presented to Ava Koldenhof, who, at age nine, began selling handmade jewelry to raise money for local charities. Over the next six years, the campaign, known as Ava’s Angels, would generate $10,000 for organizations like the Richmond Christmas Fund, Make a Wish Foundation, and Richmond Food Bank.
Finally, Susan Ness was named Star of Richmond, for demonstrating exceptional volunteer leadership. In over a decade of community service, Ness has served as Chair of Gateway Theatre, president of the Community Arts Council of Richmond, and chair of the Richmond Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards. She’s also an active member of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise.
“It was wonderful to be back in person, celebrating Richmond’s star volunteers,” says Ed Gavsie, president and chief executive officer of RCRG. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees, and thank you to the partners and sponsors who helped make the event a success.”
“As always, it was a showcase for the remarkable impact that volunteers have on our community.”
To learn more about this year’s winners and nominees, visit rcrg.org/vas.
Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG) is a registered charity that serves as a hub for volunteering and giving. RCRG is also a direct service provider, operating a Child Care Resource & Referral Centre, the Richmond Christmas Fund, and a variety of Seniors Community Support Services. rcrg.org
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