Maple Ridge’s Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement has directed her $2,500 win from the Maple Ridge Community Foundation be given to the Second Haney Girl Guides.
Angie Rowell met the girls at Maple Ridge Cemetery where they were engaging in community service by volunteering to clean the headstones.
They were joined by a contingent from the Foundation for the passing of a giant novelty cheque.
Rowell also got down to work with the girls, clearing turf away from disappearing headstones, and washing the dirt away.
“These young people are learning the value of service, leadership, and community – and are proof our future is in good hands,” she said.
Rowell, who is the federal Liberal Party candidate for the riding, said Guides was important to her as she grew up in Maple Ridge.
She was a Brownie and her mother a Brownie leader, then she moved up to Girl Guides, and became a leader of Brownies and Sparks. It inspired Rowell to be more involved in her city.
“It played a big role in leadership skills and being engaged in the community, and setting that expectation… that we can’t do everything, but we can all do something,” she said. “It’s kind of all of our jobs – if you want to life in a nice place you have to do something to make it nice.”
“To support a Girl Guides group made my heart very happy.”
She was humbled to win the Citizen of the Year award in April, particularly given the nominees.
“There were so many incredible people in that room, and everyone doing something to make our part of the world a better place.”
The Guides will put the money toward camping trips.
The Foundation is hosting its next big event on Jan. 22 with the 13th Annual FORE Charity Golf Tournament. Register online at mrcf.ca.