A prominent Sparwood volunteer has been honoured with a provincial award for her achievements and dedication to her community.
Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society manager Katrin Taylor is one of 25 people in B.C. to be recognized by the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, receiving the 2019 BC Achievement Community Award.
“Our communities are made stronger by British Columbians who go above and beyond,” said Premier John Horgan when the recipients were announced, April 1.
“Thanks to our 2019 recipients for helping build a better province for everyone.”
The recipients of the 2019 awards will be honoured during a formal presentation ceremony at Government House in Victoria on May 1. Each recipient will receive a certificate and a medallion designed by B.C. artist Robert Davidson, OC.
Taylor said she was flattered and surprised to receive this honour.
In just five short years, the Elk Valley Thrift Shop has accomplished a lot. Close to $400,000 has been donated back to local programs and charities, and almost 70,000 tonnes of textile materials have been diverted from the landfill through repurposing or resale at the shop.
LOOK BACK: Thrift shop turns five
“Her hard work and determination has generated funds that support school programs, scholarships, clubs, food banks, (and) other non-profits in the local community,” said former Sparwood Councillor Lois Halko following the awards announcement.
The thrift shop’s recent move to larger premises has helped further propel the charity towards success.
LOOK BACK: Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society opens new doors
However, Taylor says there is still much work to be done.
“We’ll never be finished,” she said, adding she has no plans of retiring any time soon. “We still have lots of goodliness to do.”
In the near future, it’s the society’s goal to pay off their new building after they complete their donations.
This month, they plan to give back $7000 to the community. By the end of 2019, they will easily surpass $400,000 in total donations.
To learn more about the other hardworking individuals nominated for a BC Achievement Community Award, visit Bcachievement.com/community/recipients.php.