MEET THE CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER IN ABBOTSFORD!
Champions are individuals and organizations who believe in and agree to practice and promote the 6 Abbotsford Values in their personal and professional lives. Scroll down to learn how you can add your name to this growing list of champions!
•Abbotsford Basketball Club (ABC) / Web
•Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce* / Web
•Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service* / Web
•The Abbotsford News / Web
"I believe wholeheartedly in this initiative and feel it is extremely important for us to demonstrate the six life values of good character for the strength and health of our society."
~Andrew Franklin, Publisher
•Abbotsford Police Department* / Web
•Abbotsford Restorative Justice & Advocacy Association / Web
"When we look at the principles of our organization; empathy, restoration, respect; they are in line with the values that the city of character promotes. We feel that anything that promotes these kinds of values promotes a better community where we all would be happy to live, work, and raise our children"
~Tony DeWaal, Executive Director
•Abbotsford School District No. 34* / Web
•Abbotsford Youth Commission / Web
•The Body Transformation Group / Web
"We believe that developing people of character, and especially youths and children of character, in our community is vitally important to our future..."
~JP Siou, Owner
•Kevin Boese & Family / Web
"I love seeing that folks from many different segments of the city are coming together around this foundational initiative. I really believe that it's the only way to bring about the greater good that is our potential"
~Kevin Boese
•Suzanne Bubel
•City of Abbotsford* / Web
•C. Esther De Wolde & Phantom Screens / Web
"I totally believe values-based leadership is the only way to make an amazing difference to our city through our workplaces, community groups, families, etc."
~Esther De Wolde, Phantom Screens
•Dinner of Hope (Sponsored by CLCC)
"Abbotsford is a beautiful community and people from all over the world have come to live here. Each person has something to offer to make this community the best it can be. Only if we try to understand, appreciate, work with and encourage one another can this happen. I love living in Abbotsford."
~Joyce Wilder, Event Coordinator
•Tracy Dueck & Tracycakes Bakery Cafe / Web
•Mark Duyns
"I believe that the values stated by the Abbotsford Character Council are important to all residents of our community. I also believe that they cannot be taken for granted or assumed, and that we must be intentional in our daily efforts to learn these, to teach these and to exhibit these values in our families, in our professions and in our community. I want to help encourage this to happen"
~Mark Duyns
•FacepaintingByLilac@shaw.ca / Email
"Because we ALL benefit of bringing these core values 'back' or, into our lives! Each member of society, no matter what their age, culture or beliefs!"
~Janice Yelland, Business Owner
•Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association* / Web
"FVICBA has been supportive from the get-go!"
~Kelly Chahal, Director & Past President
•Giesbrecht, Goodrich & Co. / Web
•Kelly Foster / Web
•Hardy Real Estate Team / Web
"Character is very important. We are called to live character filled lives. Without it, we are lost and without purpose"
~Ben Hardy
•Ron Hull (Deputy Fire Chief) / Web
"Kids are our future and if we can contribute by being a leader, coach, mentor, parent, or friend through promoting and living the values of respect, responsibility, integrity, empathy, courage, and service our world will become a better place"
~Ron Hull
•Impact Youth Substance Use Services / Web
"Talking about character opens rich opportunities for Abbotsford's citizens to explore their values and how these are playing out in their lives. It is when we don't have a safe and non-judgemental space to explore our values and the challenges we may face in these being better expressed in our character that we all suffer - individually and collectively."
~Brian Gross, Executive Director
•Integrity First Social Services / Web
•Kiwanis Club (Clearbrook)* / Web
•Tina Lakey
•Matt Loewen / Web
•Susan McAlevy, Executive Director of Abbotsford Community Foundation / Web
"I believe that our community should, and does, promote and celebrate these values and as an organization dedicated to promote philanthropy in Abbotsford it dovetails wonderfully with our mission."
~Susan McAlevy
•Mennonite Educational Institute - Middle School / Web
"It is who we are when nobody is watching that is so important. Good character drives good leadership. Our desire is to encourage a generation of young leaders to lead with integrity, enthusiasm, and compassion"
~Heather Smith, Principal
•Dave Murray, Manager, Abbotsford Food Bank / Web
•The Pedersen Family
"As a parent I am a role model for our children. These are the values I want our children to see"
~Mr. Pedersen
•Radically Free Youth / Web
•The Reach Gallery Museum* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford)* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford-Matsqui)* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford-Sumas)* / Web
"As a Rotary Club our Core Values are very similar and as Rotarians, we support these within our own businesses"
~Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club
•Lorri Sawatzky, Founder and Director, Hunger Response International / Web
"As an organization that focuses on helping others here in our own community as well as people from around the world, we recognize that the power to see the most good happen comes when people are being respectful and responsible, having integrity and empathy, taking courage and of course, by taking action through doing service. Let's work together to make Abbotsford a better city and we'll influence our nation and our world"
~Lorri Sawatzky
•Slap Communications / Web
•Mark Smith, Sunrise Toyota / Web
"We believe in the growth, development and future opportunities of our young people; through the core values we hope to see them as an integral part of the future leadership in our community"
~Mark Smith, General Manager
•Star FM & Country 107.1 / Web | Web
"Our stations are supporters of this initiative because we are very community focused and want to promote these 6 character values!"
~Melanie Green, Operations & Sales Manager
•Tina Stewart, Executive Director of Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
"I've worked very hard to raise three great kids with a strong belief in these character values. As a single mother, I felt it was even more important to devote my life to instilling strong core fundamental beliefs in them. You can't expect good, truth, integrity, respect if you don't give it out. If negative things happen to you, walk away from it and do something positive. I now have three really great young adults who make me very proud."
~Tina Stewart
•Stratum Systems / Web
"Clearly defined values are extremely important in everyday life. They are reflected and often magnified when it comes to business. Aligning individuals, businesses and organizations on key values is a great step toward building a strong community in Abbotsford. The values promoted by the Abbotsford Character Council reflect values I already try to uphold in my personal and business life."
~Nathan Hampson, Manager & Co-Founder
•St. John Ambulance / Web
"We embody the six pillars of the character of champions with the work our staff and volunteers do in our community each and every day."
~Brad Nastiuk, Branch Manager
•Valley Pulp & Sawdust Carriers (Klassen Family) / Web
•Cameron Wilson / Web
•WJ Mouat Secondary School / Web
•Youth Icon / Web
*Community Stakeholder
Champions are individuals and organizations who believe in and agree to practice and promote the 6 Abbotsford Values in their personal and professional lives. Scroll down to learn how you can add your name to this growing list of champions!
•Abbotsford Basketball Club (ABC) / Web
•Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce* / Web
•Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service* / Web
•The Abbotsford News / Web
"I believe wholeheartedly in this initiative and feel it is extremely important for us to demonstrate the six life values of good character for the strength and health of our society."
~Andrew Franklin, Publisher
•Abbotsford Police Department* / Web
•Abbotsford Restorative Justice & Advocacy Association / Web
"When we look at the principles of our organization; empathy, restoration, respect; they are in line with the values that the city of character promotes. We feel that anything that promotes these kinds of values promotes a better community where we all would be happy to live, work, and raise our children"
~Tony DeWaal, Executive Director
•Abbotsford School District No. 34* / Web
•Abbotsford Youth Commission / Web
•The Body Transformation Group / Web
"We believe that developing people of character, and especially youths and children of character, in our community is vitally important to our future..."
~JP Siou, Owner
•Kevin Boese & Family / Web
"I love seeing that folks from many different segments of the city are coming together around this foundational initiative. I really believe that it's the only way to bring about the greater good that is our potential"
~Kevin Boese
•Suzanne Bubel
•City of Abbotsford* / Web
•C. Esther De Wolde & Phantom Screens / Web
"I totally believe values-based leadership is the only way to make an amazing difference to our city through our workplaces, community groups, families, etc."
~Esther De Wolde, Phantom Screens
•Dinner of Hope (Sponsored by CLCC)
"Abbotsford is a beautiful community and people from all over the world have come to live here. Each person has something to offer to make this community the best it can be. Only if we try to understand, appreciate, work with and encourage one another can this happen. I love living in Abbotsford."
~Joyce Wilder, Event Coordinator
•Tracy Dueck & Tracycakes Bakery Cafe / Web
•Mark Duyns
"I believe that the values stated by the Abbotsford Character Council are important to all residents of our community. I also believe that they cannot be taken for granted or assumed, and that we must be intentional in our daily efforts to learn these, to teach these and to exhibit these values in our families, in our professions and in our community. I want to help encourage this to happen"
~Mark Duyns
•FacepaintingByLilac@shaw.ca / Email
"Because we ALL benefit of bringing these core values 'back' or, into our lives! Each member of society, no matter what their age, culture or beliefs!"
~Janice Yelland, Business Owner
•Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association* / Web
"FVICBA has been supportive from the get-go!"
~Kelly Chahal, Director & Past President
•Giesbrecht, Goodrich & Co. / Web
•Kelly Foster / Web
•Hardy Real Estate Team / Web
"Character is very important. We are called to live character filled lives. Without it, we are lost and without purpose"
~Ben Hardy
•Ron Hull (Deputy Fire Chief) / Web
"Kids are our future and if we can contribute by being a leader, coach, mentor, parent, or friend through promoting and living the values of respect, responsibility, integrity, empathy, courage, and service our world will become a better place"
~Ron Hull
•Impact Youth Substance Use Services / Web
"Talking about character opens rich opportunities for Abbotsford's citizens to explore their values and how these are playing out in their lives. It is when we don't have a safe and non-judgemental space to explore our values and the challenges we may face in these being better expressed in our character that we all suffer - individually and collectively."
~Brian Gross, Executive Director
•Integrity First Social Services / Web
•Kiwanis Club (Clearbrook)* / Web
•Tina Lakey
•Matt Loewen / Web
•Susan McAlevy, Executive Director of Abbotsford Community Foundation / Web
"I believe that our community should, and does, promote and celebrate these values and as an organization dedicated to promote philanthropy in Abbotsford it dovetails wonderfully with our mission."
~Susan McAlevy
•Mennonite Educational Institute - Middle School / Web
"It is who we are when nobody is watching that is so important. Good character drives good leadership. Our desire is to encourage a generation of young leaders to lead with integrity, enthusiasm, and compassion"
~Heather Smith, Principal
•Dave Murray, Manager, Abbotsford Food Bank / Web
•The Pedersen Family
"As a parent I am a role model for our children. These are the values I want our children to see"
~Mr. Pedersen
•Radically Free Youth / Web
•The Reach Gallery Museum* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford)* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford-Matsqui)* / Web
•Rotary Club (Abbotsford-Sumas)* / Web
"As a Rotary Club our Core Values are very similar and as Rotarians, we support these within our own businesses"
~Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club
•Lorri Sawatzky, Founder and Director, Hunger Response International / Web
"As an organization that focuses on helping others here in our own community as well as people from around the world, we recognize that the power to see the most good happen comes when people are being respectful and responsible, having integrity and empathy, taking courage and of course, by taking action through doing service. Let's work together to make Abbotsford a better city and we'll influence our nation and our world"
~Lorri Sawatzky
•Slap Communications / Web
•Mark Smith, Sunrise Toyota / Web
"We believe in the growth, development and future opportunities of our young people; through the core values we hope to see them as an integral part of the future leadership in our community"
~Mark Smith, General Manager
•Star FM & Country 107.1 / Web | Web
"Our stations are supporters of this initiative because we are very community focused and want to promote these 6 character values!"
~Melanie Green, Operations & Sales Manager
•Tina Stewart, Executive Director of Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
"I've worked very hard to raise three great kids with a strong belief in these character values. As a single mother, I felt it was even more important to devote my life to instilling strong core fundamental beliefs in them. You can't expect good, truth, integrity, respect if you don't give it out. If negative things happen to you, walk away from it and do something positive. I now have three really great young adults who make me very proud."
~Tina Stewart
•Stratum Systems / Web
"Clearly defined values are extremely important in everyday life. They are reflected and often magnified when it comes to business. Aligning individuals, businesses and organizations on key values is a great step toward building a strong community in Abbotsford. The values promoted by the Abbotsford Character Council reflect values I already try to uphold in my personal and business life."
~Nathan Hampson, Manager & Co-Founder
•St. John Ambulance / Web
"We embody the six pillars of the character of champions with the work our staff and volunteers do in our community each and every day."
~Brad Nastiuk, Branch Manager
•Valley Pulp & Sawdust Carriers (Klassen Family) / Web
•Cameron Wilson / Web
•WJ Mouat Secondary School / Web
•Youth Icon / Web
*Community Stakeholder

BECOME A CHAMPION TODAY!
Show your support for the City of Character initiative by sending the following information to the Abbotsford Character Council. Simply copy, paste, and fill in the following information in an email directed to: abby.character@gmail.com
--->Copy & paste the following into an email directed to: abby.character@gmail.com
•Your name &/or business name
•Your email
•Your phone #
•Your address (if you are a business)
•Your website
•Identify yourself as an organization, family, individual, etc.
•Let us know if we may post your name on our website
•If yes to the above, what name would you like posted?
•May we add you to our email list?
•Let us know why you are a supporter of this initiative
•Are you committed to promoting the 6 Abbotsford character values wherever you find yourself?
--->
Email the above information to abby.character@gmail.com
Show your support for the City of Character initiative by sending the following information to the Abbotsford Character Council. Simply copy, paste, and fill in the following information in an email directed to: abby.character@gmail.com
--->Copy & paste the following into an email directed to: abby.character@gmail.com
•Your name &/or business name
•Your email
•Your phone #
•Your address (if you are a business)
•Your website
•Identify yourself as an organization, family, individual, etc.
•Let us know if we may post your name on our website
•If yes to the above, what name would you like posted?
•May we add you to our email list?
•Let us know why you are a supporter of this initiative
•Are you committed to promoting the 6 Abbotsford character values wherever you find yourself?
--->
Email the above information to abby.character@gmail.com
