The people who went the extra mile to ensure Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are open to everyone were saluted by Maple Ridge council Tuesday night.
Several awards were given to companies and businesses by the municipal advisory committee on accessibilty and inclusiveness, a committee that represents both cities.
Awards were presented in seven categories:
• Universal/architectural access – Pitt Meadows Arena, Nustadia;
• Leisure and recreation – Bev Schmahmann, Ridge Meadows Seniors Society; Pitt Meadows Family Recreation Centre;
• Customer service: Linda Begg, Dollar Tree (207th Street and Dewdney Trunk Road); Heather Treleaven, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows and Katzie Senior Network; Phil Brain, Town Square Cobbler; and Jeanne Green, sales associate with Reitman’s in Pitt Meadows;
• Employment: Discovery Daycare; Starbucks, Pitt Meadows:, manager Tanya Baulne created an in-house training program for individuals with diverse abilities who are seeking employment at Starbuck locations through out Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Mission;
• Educator: Elena Di Giovanni, School District No. 42, learning services department;
• Financial: Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows chapter, Bryan Hutton; Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows Kidsport Chapter, Len Walters (volunteer); Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries, Darrel Pilgrim.
Recipients were presented with the awards in late May and then recognized at Maple Ridge council on Tuesday.