In April 2015, Richard Bergen was crowned Citizen of the Year by Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.
On May 28 2016, she presented him with the British Columbia Medal of Good Citizenship for Generosity, Service & Selflessness – an honour only bestowed upon a handful of people since its induction in July 2015.
More than 70 people attended this ceremony at the Forest Grove Community Hall, including family, friends and members of the community, as well as representatives of the many organizations Richard has been part of over the years.
Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD) associate Jules Jewra and deputy fire chief Ron Lister spoke very highly of their friend and colleague, commending Richard’s achievements and entertaining an attentive audience with personal anecdotes.
Cariboo Regional District Area H Director Margo Wagner expressed her delight that B.C. finally recognized its volunteers, and also passed on congratulations and a big thank-you from the Canim Lake Band as well as the CRD.
As Richard took the stand, he thanked Ann and Jules Jewra for nominating him for this award, and his family for being there and inspiring him to become the independent and versatile man he is today. Despite suffering horrendous injuries due to an accident at age seven that left him physically challenged for life, his parents, Bob and Edith Bergen, as well as siblings Dave and Donna encouraged and supported him to emerge a self-sufficient individual, willing to lend a hand wherever and whenever needed.
In the fall of 1984, Richard joined the Highway 24 Interlakes Lions Club and, upon his move in 1986, the Forest Grove & District Lions Club. In 1994, he established the Forest Grove ’94 Lions, whose motto is ‘We Serve – helping those in need' – receiving the Certificate of Merit in 2001.
In November 1991, he joined the FGVFD where he is still serving as dispatcher and carries out a number of other duties, including cutting the grass, shoveling snow and stepping in wherever necessary.
He has also been involved in the upkeep of the Forest Grove Cemetery for more than 10 years and is now a director of the committee. He joined the local Walking Group around the same time, and is the contact person.
In addition, Richard is a member of the Forest Grove Community and Parent Advisory Committee, and very much involved with both the Forest Grove and the 100 Mile House elementary schools, where he helps out during track and field and a number of other events.
In Forest Grove, he also cuts the grass and deals with clearing snow, aside from collecting and sorting bottles and cans at his house, in preparation of delivering them to the recycling station in town.
Last but not least, anyone who needs help cutting grass, removing snow or any other support, Richard is only too happy to do the deed, while still trying to get everyone to volunteer and get involved within the community.