Duo named community champions
Two Prince George residents were presented with community champion awards of merit on Friday evening for their contributions during the Cariboo wildfires last summer.
Both Chelsea Wallach and Steve Williams played significant roles in finding homes for the horses and livestock that had to be evacuated.
Wallach coordinated the establishment of a crisis centre for evacuated horses and other livestock at the Prince George Agriplex, leading a team of more than 300 volunteers.
The effort peaked at about 250 animals, including cows, sheep, turkeys, pigs, rabbits, horses, chickens and ferrets, while Wallach stayed on site around the clock for 56 consecutive days.
She documented every single animal brought to the site, which made it possible to have every animal returned to its owner at the end of the evacuation.
Williams, in turn, stocked up on food and water and drove to 100 Mile House to pick up livestock, “saving the lives of hundreds of animals from cats to horses,” Mayor Lyn Hall said in presenting the award.
“He spent his own money on fuel, food and accommodations and when he returned home he opened up his home for people and animals.”
He had six families staying on his property and never once asked for anything in return.
Several other awards of merit were presented. Chelsea Wallach poses with one of the largest, and one of the smallest horses at the Agriplex in July 2017. Wallach was honoured for her work to coordinate the establishment of a crisis centre for evacuated horses and other livestock at the Prince George Agriplex during the Cariboo wildfires.
Outstanding volunteer awards of merit went to Jeff Elder, Sue Judge and Gerry van Caeseele.
Zelda Craig, Tianna Dulmage, Bernadette Kipping, Randy Seabrook, Amanda Tarry and Dan Watt were given recreation and culture awards of merit.
Community service awards of merit went to Terry Bryden, Valerie Giles, Brenda Pearson and Marianne Sprague.
The youth of the year was Sarah Ash with an honourable mention going to Shamitha Aravind.
The access award of merit went to Spinal Cord Injury B.C.,
The heritage places award went to The Taylor House at 1872-10th Ave. and certificates of project recognition were awarded to 1811 Spruce St. and 1395-Fifth Ave.