Council names eight Local Heroes

Thea Juett relaxes in the outdoor garden at Burnaby Hospital’s palliative care ward. She helped found the Burnaby Hospice Society.

Mario Bartel/NewsLeader File

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Burnaby city hall will be honouring eight Burnaby residents with its annual Local Hero Award.

Since 1997, 217 people have received the award, which recognizes people who have made contributions to community well-being in Burnaby over an extended period of time in multiple ways.

After receiving 14 nominations and reviewing them against the criteria, eight were proposed for the awards. They include:

• Karen Corcoran, a longtime volunteer with the Hastings Brentwood Community Police Office. She was instrumental in starting the Business Watch program in North Burnaby, and in helping develop "comfort bags" for children in crisis or who are victims of crime.

• Thea Juett, a retired social worker who co-founded Burnaby Hospice Society "with the conviction that no one should have to die alone," said the staff report. For the past 25 years she has been an active volunteer with both the hospice society and St. Michael's Extended Care and Hospice Facility.

• Maria Motta, a longtime volunteer with South Burnaby Neighbourhood House (SBNH) and the Healthy Heart Program at Burnaby Hospital. Her passion for cooking has led her to prepare food for community dinners and fundraising events, cookies for kids at SBNH daycares, and meals and snacks for participants in seniors and Healthy Heart programs.

• Vivian Pinter, a dedicated volunteer with Burnaby North Girl Guides, the Capitol Hill elementary parent advisory council, and her local Block Watch chapter.

• Michael Raynor, an active volunteer with the Community Centred College for the Retired since 1999 and a longtime Mason and Shriner. Along with wife Barbara, he has cleans and restores electronics equipment for reuse and recycling, works at food banks and puts together comfort kits for the homeless.

• Linda Saunders, a longtime volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C., who cares for the injured animals, builds needed facilities and is active in fundraising.

• Tanaya Shaw, a longtime volunteer with the City of Burnaby's Citizen Support Services Department in the Baby Cuddle program, assisting new mothers with daily tasks and providing respite care for older siblings, collecting household items for client families. She has also accompanied families with sick infants to the hospital to provide support and help look after their older children.

• Marilena (Marilyn) Soligo, a dedicated volunteer at the Community Centred College for the Retired since 1998, leading Spanish and Italian language classes, and at St. Helen's Parish in Burnaby, helping with the mission society, church events and food drives.

Nominees will receive their Local Hero Awards at the Nov. 5 council meeting at 7 p.m. in city hall council chambers.

wchow@burnabynewsleader.com

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