Sometimes late is better than never, as was the case for the Sidney Lions Food Bank and its Administrator Beverly Elder this week.
Elder, who just celebrated her 12th year anniversary as an employee of the food bank, was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal on Tuesday, Jan 22.
“It was definitely a great surprise and an honour to find out I had been chosen to receive a medal,” said Elder, adding that most Diamond Jubilee Medals have already been handed out.
“A lot of Jubilee Medals were handed out in the summer and they all have to be handed out by the end of February,” she explained.
Earlier this year, 33 Diamond Jubilee Medals were issued to Food Banks Canada who then got over 70 nominations for recipients.
“It was nice because there were even numbers of nominees across the country,” said Elder, adding that a lot of attention is often given to larger provinces.
Elder was one of five food bank workers awarded Diamond Jubilee Medals in B.C. including recipients from 100-Mile House and Boundary food banks.
“I couldn’t do what I do without the support from the Sidney Lions Club, my family, my friends and the volunteers at the food bank,” she said.
Elder was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May during a ceremony at the Mary Winspear Centre Tuesday evening.