PROGRESSIVE Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society said a sincere thank you to everyone who supported and attended their 30th Anniversary Gala on September 16 at the Fraserview Banquet Hall in Vancouver.
More than 700 people at the event shared in a vision of supporting PICS programs that create an inclusive and mutually respectful society. The unconditional support was overwhelming from the community, business owners and politicians. PICS Society was embraced by different religious temples including Ross Street Gurdwara, Khalsa Diwan Society, and Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple. A certificate of appreciation was presented to PICS Society by Councillor Yousef Barakat, President of the Canadian Arab Forum of BC.
PICS also received generous support from business organizations that sponsored the event, including Vancity and Khalsa Credit Union. Other participating businesses included the City of Surrey, Envision Financial, RBC, Canadian Western Bank, Remedy Pharmacy, AMC Insurance, Cooperative Insurance, Standard Insulation and the Indian business community at large. Their contributions enable PICS to continue providing services and programs for the community.
The media’s continuous support over the years is incredibly appreciated by all at PICS Society. You are a voice for us to reach out to the community.
The support PICS received from government dignitaries and the congratulatory message received from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was appreciated. Their recognition is a reason for motivation for PICS to continue its efforts in the community.
The night included speeches from MPs John Aldag and Sukh Dhaliwal. PICS is forever indebted to them for the countless support they’ve shown the society.
Ministers Harry Bains, Jinny Sims, Adrian Dix and George Chow, MLAs Jagrup Brar and Rachna Singh came out to show their support as well. PICS was excited to be able to share an evening of celebration with the community and hopes for many more to come.
“PICS’s hard working and dedicated staff and board of directors have made such a positive impact on the society and should be praised for their excellent work.” said PICS Board President, Bobby Pawar.
The following businesses and people were recognized and honoured with appreciation plaques that evening: Anita Huberman (CEO, Surrey Board of Trade), Vancity, Khalsa Credit Union, Amrik Sangha, Dr. Gulzar Cheema, and Charan Singh Gill and Daljit Kaur Gill. PICS hope to continue this working collaboration and the community service they are providing.
Also a big thanks to those who became new PICS lifetime members: Mr. Sangra and Baldev Sangra (Sangra Enterprises); Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver (Ross Street Temple); Gian Singh Dhesi, Ranbir Manj and Santosh Manj (former PICS staff); Jagir Singh Nagra, Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann and Dilbagh Mann (PICS staff); Parmjit Khosla, Noni Hara (Scorpio Security), Dalbir Benipal, Kuldip Singh Waraich, Manjit Dhillon (former PICS board member), Dr. Harinder Dhanju, Baldev Singh Baath (Basant Motors), Amarjit Dadwal (A1 Sports), Gary Sekhon (Overseas Autobody), Shabba Hundal, Parminder Thind, Jagtar Dhaliwal (PICS staff), Perminder Chohan and Jaspal Saroya. Saroya presented PICS with a generous $20,000 cheque.
PICS is thrilled to have had such a successful evening of celebration and recognition of the services it has been providing to the community. The contributions that were made towards PICS Society are going to go towards PICS multicultural extended care project Diversity Village.
Lastly, a special thanks to PICS Society’s founding members: Bhupinder Pannu, Amarjit Sandhu, Onkar Hundal, Gurpartap Randhawa, Gurbir Gill and Gurdev Somal.
“I would like to especially thank and bid a farewell to our former CEO Charan Gill, who dreamt, conceived, founded and built PICS into what it is today. Thank you!” said PICS CEO, Satbir Cheema.
(Contributed)
