A Coquitlam volunteer has been recognized for his life-long selflessness and leadership for the benefit of local residents, neighbours and organizations.
Robert Tanaka, also known as Bob, is set to receive an official medallion in Victoria next week in honour of his dedicated service as one of 20 recipients of this year's BC Achievement Community Award.
In a news release on Monday (May 2), each person is being acknowledged for lending a helping hand during "exceptionally difficult times" to build "better, stronger and more resilient communities."
Tanaka is a chartered professional accountant who lent his skill set to many boards in Coquitlam.
"In these roles, Bob held various positions, including treasurer, applying his expertise to steer the financial wellbeing of the boards while demonstrating the importance of engagement and what it can accomplish," BC Achievement states.
Tanaka most notably sat on the board with the Coquitlam Public Library and the Coquitlam Foundation.
As well, he provided leadership on a regional level with the Crossroads Hospice Society (Coquitlam) and the Tozenji Japanese Culture Centre (Coquitlam).
"In his many volunteer endeavours, three things remain constant to Bob’s volunteerism: his willingness to serve, the effectiveness of that service, and the good will he creates as part of that service."
Tanaka also currently serves as the board chair of the Domestic Abuse Services Society.
"He has spearheaded our purchase of a new, larger stage two house for women and children leaving domestic violence," the Surrey organization explained in a social media post.
"He has overseen the Society during the establishment and growth of Thrifters' Paradise. We appreciate his leadership and all he’s done."
Tanaka was selected by an independent committee for BC Achievement for the community award, and was unveiled as one of the 2022 recipients by Anne Giardini, the foundation's chair, and premier John Horgan.
He'll be donned with his medallion at a formal ceremony in Victoria on May 10.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation that's honoured dozens of residents since 2003 for their encouragement, excellence and inspiration.
For more information, you can visit its website.
The 19 other community award winners were as follows (in alphabetical order):
- Carol Camille (Lillooet)
- Jim Good (Prince George)
- David He (Burnaby)
- Herman Ho, MB, AdeC (Vancouver)
- Dr. Faisal Khosa (Vancouver)
- Chin uook Kim (New Westminster)
- Suresh Kurl (Richmond)
- David Amrik Lau (Saanichton)
- Lawrie Mack (Invermere)
- Baylie McKnight (Victoria)
- Anders I. Ourom (Vancouver)
- Carmen Rosen (Vancouver)
- Kamal Sharma (Surrey)
- Dr. Tracey Thorne (Gabriola Island)
- Charissa Tonnesen (Tumbler Ridge)
- Dr. Vivian W. L. Tsang (Vancouver)
- Wayne White (Courtenay)
- Sqwulutsultun William Yoachim (Nanaimo)
- Anthony and Nancy Yurkovich (Richmond)
