Evelyn (Eve) Corlett of Gibsons is among the British Columbians being honoured with a Community Achievement Award.
The British Columbia Achievement Foundation announced the honourees on April 1.
“Our communities are made stronger by British Columbians who go above and beyond,” said Premier John Horgan. “Thanks to the 2019 recipients for helping build a better province for everyone.”
The citation for Corlett said she “has cared for children on the Sunshine Coast for almost 40 years, providing around-the-clock childcare services to families over multiple generations. As owner of a family-run daycare, Eve has significantly contributed to the ‘quality of life’ for hundreds of people in the community, and created an extended family by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.
“The essential service Eve provides has enabled many community members to continue to live and raise their family on the coast while handling the daily demands of work and family life.”
Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons offered congratulations via Twitter. “Congratulations to Evelyn Corlett of Gibsons, who is recognized for her over 40 years of providing exceptional childcare to Sunshine Coast children,” Simons wrote.
Corlett has also been active in lobbying the provincial government to offer more resources for the specialized type of childcare her business offers – 24/7 flexible care for parents who work shifts.
Sechelt, in partnership with Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District, was recently awarded a $67,150 provincial grant for child care planning, and Gibsons Coun. Aleria Ladwig pointed out at the March 19 council meeting that she’d like to see the work funded by that grant include ways to address the concerns raised by Corlett and her husband Robert in a letter to local governments.
