Georgie Cole is being recognized for her 50 years of dedication to the city.
Cole was selected as the 2013 Kushiro Cup winner, recognizing the Citizen of the Year, for her devotion to Burnaby and generosity in giving her time to the community, according to a city staff report.
“I guess I was surprised, but I knew that the people had been working very hard on it,” she told the NOW. “Well, my mom used to say, ‘He who expects nothing is never disappointed.’ So, it was indeed a pleasant surprise. In the beginning, that’s not why you do it. I was just brought up that way.”
One of Cole’s nominators described her as a passionate advocate for families, children and youth.
“Communities don’t happen without the passion, heart and soul of the people within it,” the nominator said. “Georgie Cole personifies every one of those qualities. It is with passion that she advocates for the rights of families, children and youth in her neighbourhood, keeping their futures in mind. It is with her whole heart that she embraces people from every walk of life and helps them make connections with one another so that they feel loved and welcomed.”
Cole was an active member of the school community for more than 48 years. She was instrumental in the community school designation, the breakfast homework club and she supported the literacy centres in the schools and helps out with the knitting club and other social events.
While her children were young, she went to night school and received her degree in early childhood education. She taught preschoolers with the New Westminster parks and recreation department until she retired after 23 years.
“In those days, when you were 65 you had to retire,” she noted. “I probably wouldn’t have because I loved my job. It was so fun working with those children. The things children said to me or told me ended up being in my stand-up comedy jokes.”
Cole has taught line-dancing classes for the last 21 years. Her love of art, theatre and stand-up comedy has also set her apart. She’s also been a part of 14 productions with Century House in New West.
Cole was also a board member with the Eastside Opportunities Society for 30 years. She advocated for the society to expand before- and after-school care programs, researched and applied for grants, and initiated spring break and summer day camps and other groups.
She also volunteered with the Deer Lake United Church, East Burnaby United Church, Block Watch, Burnaby Barracudas Swim Club and Robert Burnaby Park.
In many instances, Cole is also known for turning her “hobbies into opportunities to volunteer,” the report stated.
Cole will be presented with her award at the city appreciation dinner on May 2.
“I’d like to thank everybody for this,” she added. “I’m humbled because I was chosen.”
