LANGLEY’S International Festival Society’s 5th Annual Multicultural Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony held at the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre was a big success both in attendance and nominations. The society received several nominations for the four categories – Youth, Seniors, Education, and Community Services Diversity awards.

Nasheman Waheed was awarded in the ‘Youth’ category for her volunteer work with the Settlement and Integration Services at the Langley Community Services Society.

Geoffrey Metcalfe, a retired school teacher, won the award in the ‘Senior’ category for being instrumental in teaching the literacy and language skills to the Karen Seniors Group at the Langley Community Services Society.

Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) was awarded the diversity award in the ‘Education’ category for providing assistance to immigrants and refugees through a variety of programs and services including language education, job search assistance, training, mentoring from professionals in different fields, and community connections support.

The Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC was the winner for the ‘Community Services’ Award for providing a safe, supportive place where children and youths from different backgrounds and nationalities can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.

Many dignitaries including Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese, Councillor Angie Quaale, Councillor Petrina Arnason, and City of Langley Deputy Mayor Jack Arnold, Councillor Paul Albrecht, Councillor Gayle Martin, Councillor Rudy Storteboom,  Langley School Trustee Rosemary Wallace, TOL’s Cultural Services Manager Peter Tulumello,  TOL Libraries’ Manager  David Thiessen, and Muriel Arnason Library’s Community Librarian Dr. Sarwan Singh Randhawa celebrated the diversity with several others.