Our residents were joined by family, staff, volunteers and board members who have supported RILS across the years. A huge thank you to everyone who was able to come out and celebrate this milestone with us. Our board team and volunteer coordinator, Madison, worked to put together a timeline of major events over the past years with photos and stories shared by all. The evening was filled with food, fun, a quiz and topped off by Elvis singing and dancing on the tables!
RILS Timeline
Our Thanks to Board Members and Supporters – From the 1980s and Still Going Strong!
- The Porter Family
- The Podmore Family
- The Meraloma Rugby Club
- The Crozier Family
1987 – Thank You, Sun Run Participants
Rick Hansen inspired us all with his Man in Motion World Tour in 1985. His dream was to create an accessible world, and find a cure for spinal cord injury.
The Vancouver Sun Run began in 1985 when Rick started wheeling, and opened the Run to people with disabilities about the same time Rick as returned to Vancouver, in 1987.
Some of our RILS tenants participated in the early years, and are still in the Race, these years later. We are proud of you, Sun Runners! You have great tenacity!
Board Members and Supporters From the 1990s To the Present – Our Thanks to You
- The Hall Family
- The Crockett Family
Bill Crockett has been the Board’s treasurer for years, as well as working on the golf tournament. He still works many hours in an “unofficial” capacity, for which we are very grateful.
Our thanks to both the Fumano Family and the McCrae Family, for their dedication to RILS.
1991 – New Change in Leadership
Thank you, Kathleen Mason, for your 25 years of watching over RILS as Executive Director.
2000 – RILS Expands to Steveston
The Residence for Independent Living (Steveston) was completed in 2000, home to ten tenants.
- Francis Clark (Disabilities Committee of Richmond)
- John Hood (Board of Directors)
- Grovenor Developments
- Progressive Construction (Builders)
2001 – Move-In Time for Steveston Residents
2005 – The Jon Hall Classic Golf Tournament Begins
2016 – Jen Selman begins as Director Executive
2016 – Yuk Yuk Comedy Nights take a new twist…
Thanks to Andrew Vallance, and his talent in organizing and participating in Comedy Night Charities for RILS.
Many thanks for your generosity, Andrew!
2017 – Heidi French begins as Executive Director
Thank you for your leadership through all the changes, Heidi!
2018-2019 – Building Upgrades
Our thanks to B.C. Building Science and affiliated companies!
Special thanks also, to Geoff and Michelle of CWDI for years of professional help at our facilities.
2019-2020 – Present Board Members
- Debbie Hart – Chairperson
- Dick Stout – Vice Chair
- Allison Goodman – Interim secretary
- Bill Crockett – Interim Treasurer
- Craig Watters
- Doug Hamming
- Carey Myers
- Nitin Gaba
- Pat Stout
Two people are presently going through the process of joining the Board of Directors. We welcome Liam Friesen and Bryan Stewart.
Staff Members
Thanks to all staff – past and present, who have worked so hard to make RILS the kind of place that can truly be called “home”.
Many of you have worked ten, twenty, even thirty years, and we thank you for your commitment.
To each and every member of RILS Steveston and False Creek staff, know you are so greatly appreciated.