Awards Spotlight
Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award 2020
In 2020, Valley was nominated by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce for a Business Excellence Award in the category of “Outstanding Support Award”.
Creativity and tirelessness characterized Valley’s response to the pandemic. Our Board of Directors worked hard to ensure that clients, volunteers, and staff had a safe place to return to once the temporary lockdown ended. COVID-19 safety protocols were put in place swiftly, and despite incredible financial strain, members of Valley’s Board began to brainstorm ways VTEA could help our struggling local community.
Well aware of the benefits of equine therapy for mental health, Valley created a space of safety, compassion, and mindfulness with the launch of equine facilitated wellness at our facility. Our Front Line Heroes program was lauded as “timely, inspiring, and savvy”. We showed an “exemplary [response] to the COVID-19 crisis to ensure the well-being of [our] employees, customers, and community”.
Valley is infinitely grateful to have been nominated for a BEA’20. We are committed to supporting our clients, volunteers, and staff through this global pandemic, and we look forward to brighter days ahead.
June 2020 – Wayne and Brenda Singbeil Awarded CanTRA’s Rhonda Davies Award for the most Outstanding Volunteers
Wayne and Brenda Singbeil
CONGRATULATIONS Wayne and Brenda!!
We’ve written many times about how special our volunteers are. Without them, we could not do what we do. Recently, we had the honour of nominating two very special volunteers for an award. What started off as a simple act of kindness 11 years ago (helping a neighbour during a snowstorm) blossomed into one of the greatest, most dedicated relationships in Valley’s history.
We are thrilled to announce that Wayne and Brenda were awarded CanTRA’s Rhonda Davies Award for the most Outstanding Volunteer. Thank you, John and Donna Davies, for sponsoring this award in memory of your daughter, Rhonda Davies.
Thank you for this award, CanTRA. Congratulations Wayne and Brenda! We cannot think of two more deserving people and we are so, so thankful for you.
June 2020 – CanTRA’s Therapy Horse of the Year Awarded to Rosie
Rosie
CONGRATULATIONS Rosie!
People of all ages and experience levels can enjoy horses in sport, leisure and equine facilitated therapy. We are especially proud to celebrate one very special therapy horse who is being recognized as Therapy Horse of the Year by CanTRA – our very own Rosie!
This award honours the amazing equines who serve and provide such wonderful benefits to our riders. Thank you to the sponsors of this award – Manning Equine Veterinary Svc and Greenhawk Charlottetown and thank you to Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association for awarding Rosie this special honour.
The 2016 John and Muriel Arnason Award
Brenda and Wayne
Since 2009, the Aldergrove couple has been volunteering with the Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association, which provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with special needs. Brenda is secretary with the VTEA Board of Directors, organizes fundraisers, and has been re-writing the Association’s policy and procedures manual. A member of the VTEA Board, Wayne works with the horses and riders and can often be found building paddocks, fences, and stalls. He has installed a sprinkler system and was kept busy this winter clearing snow. Both Singbeils are also active with the Langley Hospice Society, providing support to those at the end of their lives, their families, and those who are bereaved.
The John and Muriel Arnason Award was created in memory of Muriel Arnason, the first woman to be elected to Township Council, and her husband, John, to recognize people who volunteer together to make Langley a better place. It honours a couple who advocate for culture, learning, and literacy, foster partnerships and cooperative efforts, and create the potential for long-term benefits to the community.
The 2016 Eric Flowerdew Volunteer Award
Sandi Whyte (Center)
The 2016 Eric Flowerdew Volunteer Award is presented to an individual who promotes an active living lifestyle that enhances Langley’s quality of life and community spirit through creative, cultural, physical, or social pursuits. This year’s Flowerdew nominees included VTEA’s Sandi Whyte, pictured center.
