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Editorial: A champion for children

She is tireless community volunteer, and an inspiration for community service and business leadership.
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Renie D’Aquila is this year’s Citizen of the Year. Ian Jacques Photo

Renie D’Aquila embodies everything that a Citizen of the Year should.

She is a tireless community volunteer, and an inspiration for community service and business leadership.

D’Aquila was named Delta’s Citizen of the Year on Friday night at the 72nd annual Business Excellence Awards, hosted by the Delta Chamber of Commerce.

She is the executive director of Reach Child and Youth Development Society.

Her reach and impact is far and wide. She has helped shape the way this community champions for its children. She shows heart and compassion in every person that she helps and interacts with.

Everyone who knows her I’m sure will agree, has had their lives enriched by knowing her.

I know my life has. Whenever I have spoken with her, interviewed her for a story in the Optimist, or just seen her in action at Reach here in Ladner, I’m inspired by her thoughtfulness, drive and determination to make our community better.

Congratulations Renie on this great honour. It is so richly deserved.

Business excellence

The night marked the sixth awards ceremony that I have attended and covered for the Optimist.

Each event has been unique with its choices for Citizen of the Year and the other business awards. This year’s event was one of the best that I have attended. There was a great energy and buzz in the room. Lots of excitement for the award finalists and their friends and family who were on hand to support them.

There was a wonderful and diverse list of finalists this year, all showcasing why Delta has such a great business community. The video packages of the finalists was thoughtful and humble and the speeches from the winners were kind and generous. It was certainly a night of excellence and a night of true celebration.