News Release – Local Soroptimist receives prestigious award

For immediate release

Darlene McCann honoured with Frances Wagner Service & Achievement Award

Port Moody, BC, Canada. Darlene McCann, a member of Soroptimist International of the TriCities (an international organization dedicating to improving the lives of women and girls worldwide), won a prestigious award this past weekend at the Soroptimist Western Canada Regional Conference in Sun Peaks.  Darlene had the distinction of being the winner of the annual Frances Wagner Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in the winner’s field of work and service to the community.

The western Canadian Soroptimist region has over 470 members, and Darlene was selected as the winner for her professional excellence and commitment to the community.  She is currently an independent mortgage broker, and has received numerous awards over her career at the Bank of Montreal, including national recognition for marketing excellence.

Her volunteer career spans over 25 years.  She has played leadership roles on the board of directors for the BMO Fountain of Hope, the South Surrey Developmental Center, the Greater Vancouver Builders Association and Soroptimist International of the TriCities.

Darlene has billeted hockey players, organized Christmas drives for over 20 years, ran kids clubs, and served as a judge for several years for Volunteer Vancouver Awards.

She has been and remains active in addressing the needs of homeless people in the lower mainland.  For 2 years, she made sandwiches for the needy in downtown Vancouver, and then ran a soup kitchen in Port Coquitlam for 4 years.  She volunteers for the mat programs in the TriCities and coordinates a shower program as well.  She was the prime organizer for the TriCities 2008 Connect Day – an event during Homeless Action Week to connect homeless people to services in the community.  She also sits on the TriCities Homeless Task Group, chairing the services sub-committee.  Within Soroptimist, she organizes the monthly Warm Place For Women – a social evening of food, education and resources for women in need in the TriCities.

Darlene McCann is the first member of the Soroptimist TriCities club to receive the prestigious Frances Wagner award, and her club is incredibly proud to have her as a member.  Darlene’s professional excellence and outstanding volunteer service have made a difference to hundreds of people in the lower mainland, and make her a role model to all Soroptimists, not only in the TriCities, but also throughout Western Canada.

About Soroptimist
Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women in management and the professions, working through service projects to improve the lives of women and girls in our communities and throughout the world.  Almost 100,000 Soroptimists in 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community-based projects.  The TriCities club has been involved with numerous community projects and agencies, and encourages female leaders to join the club.  For more information, please visit www.wcsoroptimist.org or www.soroptimist.org.

Contact:
Alison Ferguson, Soroptimist International of the TriCities
604-937-3521
alison @everylittlebitgreen.com

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