Two more West Kootenay residents have been presented with King Charles III Coronation Medals for their volunteer efforts in the Castlegar area.
Chris MacBain was recognized for spending 37 years with the Royal Canadian Legion Castlegar/Robson Branch, serving at times as president, vice president, sergeant at arms, parade commander, ways and means chairman and poppy campaign chairman.
MacBain also spent 35 years with the BC Fire Service, 25 years with the Canadian Red Cross, 12 years with the BC Ambulance Service,10 years with the Castlegar Air Cadets Squadron and five years with the Castlegar Hospice Society.
He received his medal from BC/YUKON Royal Canadian Legion Command President Craig Thompson at a Feb. 15 ceremony in West Kelowna.
"There were only 51 metals in all of B.C. awarded by the BC/YUKON Command RCL and I was extremely honoured to be one," said MacBain.
Deb Chmara was awarded one of the 57 medals allocated to the Canadian Red Cross to honour people who volunteer, work and/or support the organization.
Chmara was presented with her award on March 1, recognizing over 56 years of service within the Red Cross organization both in Canada and abroad.
Chmara also served as the City of Castlegar's Emergency Support Services volunteer director for 18 years.
Some of the highlights of her career include service with the International Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross in places like Albania, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Tajikistan, Georgia, Afghanistan, Philippines, Israel and Russia.
In 2019, Chmara was awarded the Emergency Social Services (ESS) Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer of the Year Medal by Emergency Management BC. This was in recognition for her exceptional contribution and many years of service ensuring safety and well being in communities.
The King Charles III Coronation Medals have been given to a diverse group of recipients that have made significant contributions to British Columbia or to a particular region or community in the province or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to B.C.
A number of West Kootenay residents have received the medals including: Ken Kalesnikoff, Gerry Rempel, Darlene Schultz, Anne Godderis, Jan Morton, Sandi McCreight, Deb McIntosh, Vince Salvo, Joan Snyder (awarded posthumously), Dan Ashman and Morag Carter.
