BC Hydro Power Pioneers in the North Cariboo were pleased to receive 23 applications for the annual Community Service Award.
With the award, the successful applicant, Chelsea McIlvride, received $1,000 at a luncheon in her honour May 24.
Chelsea discovered the value of volunteering early. At the age of five, her mother, who was volunteering at Kids Day in the Park during Billy Barker Days, included Chelsea in the activities.
“As I got older, I realized how much I enjoyed volunteer work,” Chelsea said in her submission for the Power Pioneer award.
“Volunteering helps run a community and it’s important to have contributions from all youth groups.”
She regularly volunteers with Relay for Life, Billy Barker Days and on a daily basis helps run the Correlieu Breakfast Club.
Chelsea also helps with other community functions such as Child Care Resource and Referral, the Legion, Canadian Cancer Society, City of Quesnel and Correlieu’s Career Leap.
In the past year, she has added volunteering with Aboriginal Days, Get Active Quesnel and Remembrance Day activities.
“I have volunteered for all these events because I believe it’s important to help your community,” she said in her application.
“Without volunteers, the world would be a very different place where things wouldn’t get done.
“Volunteering at a young age has helped shape who I am. For me volunteering is a big part of my life and I intend to continue contributing to my community in the future in any way I can.”