Port Alberni's David Wiwchar has received a King Charles III Coronation Medal for community service.
Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns presented Wiwchar with the medal during opening ceremonies for the 40th annual Port Alberni Toy Run on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Johns and Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne were on hand for the event.
Wiwchar has served 14 years as chair of the Toy Run, and next year will be stepping down from the position. He said he will continue to be involved in the organization and ride in the event.
The coronation medals are "a way to recognize outstanding individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who have made a difference to their achievements and their service to the community," said Johns. He nominated Wiwchar for his vision and "dedicated leadership" of the Toy Run over the past 14 years.
"This is the biggest charity for children in the Alberni Valley and your big heart combined with the endless energy has contributed greatly to bringing joy and happiness to thousands of children," Johns added.
Wiwchar said the award was for all the Toy Run members and riders at the event. "It's you, the thousands of riders who come to support the children and families of the Alberni Valley, some of whom are the most impoverished in all of Canada. We do this for the kids," he said.
"I believe that community service is the rent you pay for living in such a beautiful place. I'm humbled and forever grateful to wear this medal that belongs to each and every one of you."
There are 30,000 King Charles III coronation medals to be awarded in Canada in the coming months. Each MP has 20 medals to award, and Johns said he has 20 people selected to receive the medals, including Wiwchar.
Johns said he wasn't supposed to receive his medals until Sept. 23, but asked Governor General Mary Simon to make an exception for Wiwchar's medal, so it could be presented during the 40th anniversary of the Port Alberni Toy Run.
"It's really great we could present it to Dave at the Toy Run in front of all the people that he's been working so strongly with for so long," Johns said. "This is huge, what Dave has been a part of. I know it's a lot of people he's representing and it's like Dave said, it's reflective of all the people that are involved.
"But 14 years is a long time to be at the helm of such an important — not just event, but organization that does so much for charity in the Alberni Valley. It touches so many lives."
More than 750 motorcycle riders participated in the 40th anniversary ride on Saturday, bringing a truck load of toys and thousands of dollars in donations to the charitable organization. Most of the toys were given to the Salvation Army for Christmas hampers in December. Cash donations are distributed to different children's charities and family events throughout the year in the Alberni Valley.
Wiwchar is the second Port Alberni recipient of a King Charles III coronation medal. Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, a member of Hupacasath FIrst Nation, is one of 50 recipients of the Premier of B.C.'s allocation of coronation medals. Sayers is executive director of Clean Energy Association of British Columbia, and received his medal for advocating for clean energy in B.C. and supporting Indigenous economic development in the province.
