Bunny Shannon Heart of the Community Award
Award Criteria
2024 Bunny Shannon Award Recipient: April Lewis
The Bunny Shannon Award, presented annually by the Comox Valley Social Planning Society, recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to fostering a just and healthy Comox Valley community. This prestigious award honors the memory and values of Bunny Shannon, celebrating those who continue her legacy of dedicated community service.
About the Award
The Bunny Shannon Award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of community service and social justice that Bunny Shannon championed throughout her life. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated commitment to creating positive change in the Comox Valley community, particularly in areas of social equity, education, and community wellbeing.
2024 Award Recipient
This year’s recipient, April Lewis of Hornby Island, exemplifies the values and vision that the Bunny Shannon Award represents. With a career spanning several decades, Lewis has been a cornerstone of community development and social equity initiatives on Hornby Island and throughout the broader Comox Valley region. April was nominated by Sheila McDonnell, former Comox Valley School District 71 Trustee, and a Hornby Island resident.
Educational Leadership
As the first Coordinator of the Hornby Island Education Society, Lewis played a pivotal role in establishing one of the Comox Valley’s first community schools in the 1980s. Working alongside Principal Don Reimer and School Trustee Bunny Shannon, she helped pioneer the Community School model in British Columbia, maintaining active involvement with ACEBC and the BC Association of Community Schools.
Community Programs and Initiatives
Lewis’s impact on the community is reflected in the diverse range of programs she has developed and coordinated:
- Establishment of the Computer Access Centre
- Creation of the Community Choir
- Development of the Natural History Centre
- Implementation of Weekly Hot Lunch programs
- Organization of Summer Circus Camps
- Creation of youth-focused initiatives, including Teen Nights and the Designated Teen Trailer
- Development of family support programs, such as Girls Group and Toddler Drop-in
- Implementation of parenting programs, including The Virtues
Social Justice and Community Development
Through collaborative partnerships with organizations such as the Hornby-Denman Community Health Care Society, New Horizons Society, and HI Residents and Ratepayers, Lewis has been instrumental in addressing critical community needs:
- Spearheading food security initiatives, including the Food Bank and HOPE Kitchen
- Initiating the formation of the Hornby Island Community Fund, which has grown to manage over $600,000 in endowment funds
- Conducting comprehensive research on intimate partner violence and community demographics
- Addressing issues of poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, and aging in the community
Current Leadership
Today, Lewis continues her community service through her work with the Hornby Island Housing Association, bringing her characteristic approach of gentle persistence and commitment to social justice to address housing challenges in the community.
Legacy of Service
April Lewis’s selection as the 2024 Bunny Shannon Award recipient recognizes not only her extensive contributions to community development but also her alignment with Bunny Shannon’s values and vision. Her collaborative approach, dedication to social equity, and commitment to community wellbeing make her a worthy recipient of this honor, continuing the legacy of positive change that Bunny Shannon championed throughout her life.
Sheila McDonnell (Nominated April), April Lewis (2024 Recipient), Joanne Schroeder (CVSPS Board Member), and Clark Munro (Bunny’s husband)
2023 Bunny Shannon Award Recipient – Ramona Johnson
In 2023 we were honoured to acknowledge Ramona Johnson with our second Annual Bunny Shannon Heart of the Community Award! Her nominator states that Ramona meets the criteria for this award because she:
Is Committed to and passionate about action and positive Community Change:
Ramona has consistently worked for an inclusive, diverse, caring, community for Comox Valley and beyond. Whether as mentor for indigenous youth, organizer for inclusion and compassion events such as “Walking with Our Sisters,” “Coldest Night” (and so many more) or madly, cheering on efforts of others as they work to bring awareness, inclusion, and connection within our communities.
Advocates for improved social policies and programs in the Comox Valley:
Ramona has been a visible and vocal proponent for collaboration and gentle acceptance. She has been instrumental in the bridge building, with others, for the awareness, collaboration, inclusion and understanding of Indigenous, BIPOC, and marginalized persons in our valley. Her gentle invitation to collaborate has motivated thousands and made community building easier.
Is Committed to equity and inclusion for all in the community:
Throughout Ramona’s actions are intentional consideration for inclusion, celebration of differences and breaking down barriers to inclusion. While Ramona often works “behind the scenes” giving support on all levels she is tremendously active in many of the social policy meetings, social action, and awareness programs (there are too many to list!).
Is Involved in collaborative efforts to make change:
Ramona gives all her life to collaboration within the K’omoks First Nation, the social health and welfare networks within Comox Valley and beyond. Her vision, kindness and caring brought the “Walking with our Sisters” installation to Comox Valley, due absolutely to her connection, caring and collaboration.
Advocates for people with lived/living experience to be involved in community planning and action:
Ramona consistently includes all persons in her efforts to bring together people. She has the ability to move through the otherness that may be present then find and nurture community and the sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and empowerment for those in the many endeavours she works hard to create and maintain.
Congratulations and THANK YOU Ramona
Karin Kratz (Nominator), Ramona Johnson, Betty Tate (President, CVSPS) (photo credit – Christopher Bate)
2022 Bunny Shannon Award Recipient – Heather Ney
We honour Bunny by continuing the care and compassion she had for our community and the people in it. We like to think all the people who will be acknowledged through this award in the years to come will be doing just that and that we are continuing her legacy. We certainly know that Heather Ney is!
Heather’s nomination letter stated:
“When Heather started as Executive Director of Comox Valley Transition Society (CVTS) in 2005, CVTS had fifteen staff working in three programs: Lili House, Women’s Counseling and Children Who Witness Abuse Counselling. Today CVTS has approximately 80 staff working in a wide spectrum of programs, each of which has been developed in response to a need in our community. All of this is a result of Heather’s hard work and her ability to work collaboratively and inspire others.”
