Four Cariboo residents were awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals at a ceremony in Williams Lake on Sept. 5.
Cariboo Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, surprised all four medal recipients with the honour, having worked with each person's family to ensure they attended the afternoon event at the Laughing Loon Pub.
Doerkson said he had nominated six Cariboo residents and was excited four of his nominees had been chosen from people across the country put forward.
Donna Barnett, former MLA for the South Cariboo, was the first to receive her medal, as they were handed out in alphabetical order.
The three-term MLA, Doerkson said, showed an unequalled commitment to her community of 100 Mile House.
"It is staggering the volunteerism she has done," said Doerkson, of her years of service.
When she came to the stage, Barnett tried to make light of it, with a quick "thanks" as she received the honour from Doerkson, Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars, and city of Williams Lake Coun. Joan Flaspohler. She then shed some tears as she acknowledged everybody in the room.
Wilbur Saunders, the 79-year-old renowned in Williams Lake for his voluntary litter pick up across the community was next to be honoured, and it was Doerkson's turn to become a bit choked up.
"You've probably picked up more garbage than the city of Williams Lake," quipped Doerkson, calling Saunders a community hero.
Doerkson said he is a "quiet gentleman who simply wants to do his part."
When he came up to receive his medal, Saunders admitted he had a few five-gallon pails of cigarette butts ready to be picked up for recycling.
Dale Taylor, of both The Goat radio and the volunteer announcer for Williams Lake Stampeders hockey games and Thunder Mountain Speedway, was the next to go up for a medal.
Taylor will also be the future announcer for the Williams Lake Mustangs hockey games.
Doerkson called Taylor the "voice of the community" and said Taylor does it all for love of his community, adding in 2017, when the wildfires caused the city to be evacuated, Taylor put the community first and stayed behind to continue to report.
"If anybody wants to stop by the rink and see me, that's where I'll be," said Taylor, as he announced his plans to add the Mustangs games to his busy winter schedule.
The last to be awarded her medal, was Tammy Tugnum, well known for her work with the Cariboo Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Harvest Fair.
"If you want something done, ask a busy person," said Doerkson.
"Tammy, is of course, that person," he finished, calling her an incredible friend and an amazing woman.
Joking about how she was taking time out of the busy work of preparing for this weekend's Harvest Fair, Tugnum said it is her passion.
"I love our community, it's a great place to live and raise a family," she said.
Only 30,000 King Charles III Coronation Medals were awarded across Canada, with 4,000 of those being reserved for members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
