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Rother and Lipschitz honoured at gala Video tribute celebrates couple’s sweeping volunteer efforts

The Gibsons Community Building Society honoured Judy Rother and Errol Lipschitz as co-recipients of the 2020 Darren Entwistle Community Builder Award at a Sept. 12 virtual gala.
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Errol Lipschitz and Judy Rother, co-recipients of the 2020 Darren Entwistle Community Builder Award.

The Gibsons Community Building Society honoured Judy Rother and Errol Lipschitz as co-recipients of the 2020 Darren Entwistle Community Builder Award at a Sept. 12 virtual gala.

In a video tribute, dozens of family, friends and community members celebrated the couple’s sweeping volunteer contributions, including Rother’s efforts in refugee resettlement and COVID-19 relief work, Lipschitz’s performances as Lippy the clown and their affiliations with arts, music and sports groups.

One speaker described them as “two of the most dedicated volunteers I know.”

The pair also thanked the society for the honour. Lipschitz said they follow the motto, “It is better to give than to receive.”

While participants stayed at home because of COVID-19 public health protocols, the online production managed to draw its largest-ever audience with more than 200 people, according to MC Charlene SanJenko.

Musicians George Bayntun, Deanna Knight and Anna Lumiere performed from a stage at Gibsons Public Market and, thanks to the encouragements of auctioneer Ed Hill, more than $50,000 was raised by evening’s end.

One unexpected winner was Gibsons Mayor Bill Beamish, who took home the first raffle prize – a $1,200 roundtrip HeliJet flight and hotel stay.