Congratulations to Lorrie Williams, New Westminster’s 2019 Citizen of the Year. Lorrie has contributed a great deal to the city and is certainly a most deserving citizen to receive this award.
Lorrie Williams founded CHES in 1985 after serving a teacher in Kenya and was struck by how hungry the female students were to learn. She continues to serve on the CHES Canada board.
Lorrie volunteers once a week at the Royal Columbian Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store and at Aunt Leah’s Place. She is a member of the Royal City Rotary, a director of the Sapperton Pensioners Association, and a supporter of the Lookout Housing and Health Society. Lorrie helps the Royal City Humane Society, and every December, she helps at an animal shelter in Guatemala with two fellow New Westminster residents. As if this isn’t enough to fill her days, Lorrie continues to give her time and effort to CHES.
Lorrie served on the New Westminster City Council for 16 years. As a councillor, she was instrumental in having a new animal shelter constructed and in having the Wait for Me Daddy war memorial erected in Hyack Square. She also took the lead in restorative justice initiatives in New Westminster as well as in other programs in the city.
Lorrie loves New Westminster and is very proud to be a New West citizen.