Garth Vickers has been honoured for almost two decades of volunteering with Special Olympics BC.

Vickers, who volunteers with SOBC – Kelowna, was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in Victoria on September 6. The honour recognizes volunteer achievements in a wide range of fields across the country.

Vickers was one of 40 B.C. volunteers who was recognized by the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia at Government House in Victoria.

As an official Canadian honour, the Lieutenant Governor presents this medal on behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada. This medal recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields. The recipients attending this ceremony come from all over British Columbia, with diverse backgrounds and areas in which they have focused their volunteer efforts.

The Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, created in 1995, by then-governor general Roméo LeBlanc. The medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.

The Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the program and receives all nominations. Each one is carefully researched and then reviewed by an advisory committee, which makes recommendations to the Governor General. The selection process is non-partisan and merit-based.