2012 Nominees - Health, Wellness & Active Living
Kristine Chambers
Kristine, a two-time medalist at the World Duathlon Championships and a past national elite triathlete, has dedicated herself to building active, healthy communities through mentoring and coaching teachers, parents and children. Realizing that many children don’t thrive in a competitive environment, Kristine founded the Exceleration Multisport Club, a sports program that stresses inclusion and participation in place of winning. She influences hundreds of children who then make an exponential difference to others by ‘paying it forward.’ Of the 21 current coaches, 10 are former child participants and six are parents of participants. Kristine is the undisputed leader in youth development for triathlon in Canada and volunteers extensively, including with the Coaching Association of Canada and the International Triathlon Union, and her son’s kindergarten PE class.
Connecting the Community Quote:
“In my work with children in sport and now as a mom of three I have grown to realize how critical a nurturing, loving and stimulating environment is prior to the school years. I choose to support the YWCA’s initiatives in early learning and child care as vital links to improving parental skills, early childhood experiences through play-based learning, and attachment.”
Rainy Kent
Promoting health, wellness and active living for more than two decades, Rainy spends each day motivating, inspiring and educating others. A fitness programmer for the North Vancouver Recreation Commission and the owner of Purely Cyclogical Lifestyle Consulting, she mentors and teaches current and future instructors. As a Sun Run Clinic Leader for 17 years, Rainy has encouraged women of all ages to participate in the Sun Run and embrace healthy lifestyles. Rainy’s respect in the community and ability to motivate others has been the catalyst to her success in recruiting hundreds of volunteers for events such as the Giro to Burnaby bike race. In her wake, Rainy leaves people who benefit from better health, a more active lifestyle and a greater enjoyment of life.
Connecting the Community Quote:
“Based on my experience as a front line wellness coordinator and exercise activist, I have seen how self-esteem is lost to women living in abusive relationships and the difficulties they encounter in believing they are worthy of happiness. Therefore, I am a passionate supporter of the YWCA’s comprehensive range of programs and services targeted at preventing violence against women.”
Karen Magnussen
A World and Olympic figure skating champion, Karen has dedicated her life to building an active, friendly, safe environment for skaters of all ages and abilities. She empowers her athletes by placing great value on a sense of community within sport and she takes pride in role modeling inclusive play to her many students, believing skating is for everyone to enjoy. More than twenty years ago Karen established the Karen Magnussen Foundation with her own funds. Since then she has supported both young skaters who have the potential to represent Canada at the international level as well as local young skaters who simply love to skate but without her support could not afford the lessons. Karen attends numerous community events, locally and nationally, to promote the benefits of family participation in skating.
Connecting the Community Quote:
“As a figure skating coach and having been a world class athlete who has had to be very much aware of healthy choices for myself and my athletes, I support healthy choices for youth because young children are our future. A healthy body means a healthy mind.”
Ann Meraw
Ann has inspired thousands of swimmers of all ages. As a swim instructor and coach for more than 35 years, Ann developed and implemented numerous flagship aquatics programs that have been used by young and old swimmers alike, including the Canadian water babies program. As a professional swimmer, Ann set seven world records (four of which remain unbroken) and became the first female lifeguard in Canada in 1943. Over the course of her career, Ann saved 63 people from drowning, spent 78 years with the Lifesaving Society and performed a special lifesaving performance for King George VI and the Queen Mother. Ann has been honoured with multiple awards, including the Order of British Columbia and the Sports Hall of Fame.
Connecting the Community Quote:
“My choice is safe and affordable housing. Why? Without a stable, affordable home, the parent will struggle to support one’s family – a home is foundational. “
Laura Patrick
Laura is the founder of Kids Physio Group, the first paediatric physiotherapy clinic in the Lower Mainland and winner of the 2012 Small Business BC Best Community Impact award. Kids Physio provides a safe, nurturing and playful therapy environment all while instilling confidence in children. By founding Kids Physio, Laura helped close a significant gap in the continuum of care for children in the Lower Mainland. In addition to running a successful business, Laura mentors UBC physiotherapy students and provides seminars for sports coaches in the community to raise awareness about sport injury prevention in children and adolescents. She volunteers with the Canucks Autism Network where she aides in designing physical activity programs for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and dedicates time to the Physiotherapy Association of BC.
Connecting the Community Quote:
"At Kids Physio Group, we support the early learning and child care program at YWCA because we believe that early access to rich learning environments helps to provide endless possibilities for physical development. These positive and playful experiences can boost a child's confidence and set an early foundation for the importance of physical activity and healthy living."
