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Shannon Fisher honoured for dedication to service
A Cranbrook resident is among 15 British Columbians to receive the Medal of Good Citizenship for their dedication and selfless service to their communities.
“It’s an honour to award these individuals with the Medal of Good Citizenship,” said Premier David Eby. “Each one of them embodies the traits of generosity, kindness and sacrifice for the benefit of others. Their actions touch so many lives, creating better communities throughout B.C. I commend each one of them. They are an example to all.”
Top Crop Home and Garden owner Shannon Fisher (pictured above) is being honoured for a variety of reasons.
“Shannon Fisher is an entrepreneur and a humanitarian who achieved her success while taking care of her staff and her community. Shannon is a member of Canada Nurseryland, a group of independently owned and operated garden centres in the agricultural industry that provide essential products and services to their local communities,” outlines the Honours and Awards Secretariat and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in its biographies of award recipients.
“Shannon is an inspiring business leader. There are many incidences where Shannon has gone beyond the norm. She has lent money to staff for vet bills, so they can avoid interest charges. She has made available company equipment so staff can help elderly neighbours. And Shannon has offered jobs to people who desperately needed them, even if she didn’t have work available.
“Beyond this, Shannon is a model for the way that she cares for her seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico. Most of her workers have been returning to Top Crop Farm for several years. Shannon pays them more than minimum wage, provides a home with full amenities, a truck to use, and takes them to local events to experience the community while they are in Canada.
“There are also numerous examples of Shannon’s support for local farmers and gardeners at the expense of her own business. This includes committing to a whole semi-load of hay during the severe shortage in 2021, then selling it at cost. She has also spent hours to mitigate price increases so local people could grow their own food and feed their animals more easily, especially during COVID-19.
“As well, Shannon is always the first local business owner to lend out her trailers and trucks to help those who may need to move livestock due to wildfires,” the bio continues.
“Shannon has built up a strong social media presence on Facebook, which she uses to promote other local businesses and events that enrich the community. Some examples include the annual Rotary Turkey Drive; Christmas Gifts for Seniors; and fundraisers for local animal rescues. Shannon has personally driven orphaned black bears up to Golden.
“If it’s the right thing to do for the community, Shannon is involved. And most recently, to address homelessness in Cranbrook, Shannon has mobilized the business community and secured more resources to help protect local RCMP officers and keep everyone in the community safe. Her valuable services have benefited the lives of both people and animals, while inspiring hundreds in the East Kootenay.”
“This year’s recipients represent extraordinary people in our province who continuously go above and beyond to serve and meet the needs of others,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and chair of the medal’s selection committee. “It is a privilege to recognize and honour their valuable contributions with the Medal of Good Citizenship.”
The 2022 Medal of Good Citizenship recipients are:
* Debra Arnott of Cache Creek
* Landon Douglas Brown of North Vancouver
* Bob Burrows of Vancouver
* Rachel Dong of Vancouver
* Barry English of Terrace
* Shannon Fisher of Cranbrook
* Karen Hira of Victoria
* Guul Jiit Jaad of Vancouver
* Andrei Marti of Saanichton
* Ron Rice of Victoria
* Winston Sayson, K.C., of Richmond
* Rishika Selvakumar of Richmond
* Farhad (Fred) Soofi of Port Moody
* Chantal Stefan of Cumberland
* Jody Woodford of Coalmont.
The recipients will be presented with medals at in-person ceremonies throughout the province in 2023. Established in 2015, the medal acknowledges people’s remarkable service to community life.
Nominations for Medal of Good Citizenship are accepted year-round. Any current or former long-term resident of British Columbia is eligible for nomination for the medal. Youth aged 15-25 and posthumous nominees are welcomed.
In addition to the Medal of Good Citizenship, individuals may be nominated for the province’s other honour, the Order of British Columbia, which recognizes people who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field or endeavour, benefiting British Columbians and others throughout Canada and beyond.
2022 medal recipient biographies.
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