Celebrating local changemakers
The Betty Urquhart Community Service Award recognizes a person or a collective who has made an extraordinary contribution to a community in the Fraser Valley. In addition to being recognized at a public event hosted by the university, the award winner will receive a monetary prize to donate to a charity of their choice.
This annual award is an essential part of UFV's commitment to changing lives and building community.
Who should we recognize next?
Know an outstanding individual, group, or organization who goes above and beyond to help build, shape, or enrich our community? Help us honor their achievement by nominating them for the UFV Betty Urquhart Community Service Award.
Submission deadline
You can submit your nomination until 11:59 PST on May 16, 2025.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, the nominee must be:
- an individual
- a group of volunteers
- a not-for-profit organization
Assessment criteria
The project or series of projects for which the recipient is being nominated must meet the following criteria:
- The project must demonstrate UFV’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life of its communities.
- The project must have had a significant impact on the community.
- The recipient of the award must have played a major role in the planning and implementation of the project.
- The project must have been undertaken at least partially as a volunteer endeavor and not as part of anyone’s salaried or contractual obligations.
- The project must have taken place at least partially during the last 12 months.
Nomination guidelines
- To be eligible to nominate, you must be located in the Fraser Valley.
- Your nomination package must explain how the nominee meets each of the five assessment criteria and should include supporting documentation.
Before you submit your nomination
Review process and selection
The award selection committee — led by UFV president or a designate — consists of three members appointed annually by the Board of Governors.
Typically, only one award is given out each year.
Award presentation and recognition
The award will be given to the winner at a public event hosted by the university. The recipient will also receive a monetary prize to donate to the charity of their choice.
The names and projects of the award recipients will be displayed on campus and on the UFV website.
Did you know?
This award is named in honour of Betty Urquhart, one of UFV’s first employees who strongly believed in volunteering and giving back to the community. While Betty passed away in 1995, UFV wants to keep her memory alive by giving this award to people who show the same kind of dedication to life-long learning and helping others.
2024 recipients
Free Store Chilliwack
Free store in Chilliwack is the proud recipient of UFV’s 2024 Betty Urquhart Award for Community Service. Founded by Raylene Mumford, the store began with a simple act—sharing surplus produce via social media. What started with just three participants quickly grew to over 300 within a year. Today, it supports 3,600 families, feeding nearly 400 every week with the help of dedicated volunteers. Each week, up to 60 food hampers are prepared and distributed across the community. But for Raylene and her team, it’s always been about more than food—it's about restoring dignity and hope. “We want people to feel like this was just a short stop on a bumpy road,” says Raylene.
The initiative now includes social programming, like the 123 Read to Me literacy event for kids. A community gardening program teaches families how to grow, can, and repurpose food. Raylene’s friend, Stuart Mussell, now serves as Indigenous Relations Manager. Together, they’ve built strong partnerships with farms, businesses, and local organizations. Volunteers are at the heart of it all, creating a family-like community of care and service. The Betty Urquhart Award, UFV’s longest-running community honor, celebrates this kind of impact. UFV is honored to recognize their incredible contribution to the Fraser Valley.
View all past recipients since 1992
