At Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers, we are honored to support Vernon’s Good Citizen of the Year Award, an annual recognition presented by JCI Vernon to highlight individuals whose dedication and service make a lasting impact on the community. In 2022, this prestigious honor was awarded to Helen Sidney, a 100-year-old Vernon resident whose lifelong commitment to education and environmental stewardship continues to inspire.
A Life of Service and Dedication
Helen Sidney has spent much of her life giving back to her community. She dedicated 41 years to teaching at Armstrong Elementary School, where she shaped the lives of countless students. Even after retiring in 1988, her commitment to education remained strong. In 2021, she made headlines when she donated $100,000 from her pension funds to support the school’s library, ensuring future generations would have access to quality learning resources.
Helen is also known for her daily walks along Bella Vista Road, where she has spent the past 38 years picking up litter, keeping the community clean, and greeting passersby with a warm wave and a smile. This simple but powerful act of service has not gone unnoticed—drivers honk and wave in appreciation, knowing that Helen’s dedication helps keep Vernon beautiful.
When she received the award at a surprise ceremony at Vernon City Hall, she was humbled and overwhelmed, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
Recognizing a Community Icon
Helen was chosen from over 160 nominations, the most ever received for a single nominee in the history of the Good Citizen of the Year Award. Many of these nominations came from former students who spoke of her kindness, dedication, and impact on their lives.
Helen’s contributions extend beyond her environmental and educational efforts. A passionate dancer, she has long been involved in old-time dancing, pattern dancing, and square dancing, a love she shared with her late husband, whom she met at a community dance in Armstrong. Even after turning 100 years old, Helen remains active and continues to embrace life with enthusiasm and generosity.
Giving Back Once Again
As part of the award, Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers provided Helen with a $500 donation to give to the charity of her choice. Without hesitation, she selected St. James School, supporting their efforts to build a new school with expanded outdoor space for students.
“I feel the students need all the support they can get,” Helen said, demonstrating once again her unwavering commitment to education and community growth. In 2021, she donated $100,000 to Armstrong Elementary School, where she taught for 41 years.
A Celebration at the Vernon Winter Carnival
Helen’s achievements were also recognized at the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade, where she rode alongside JCI Vernon members and was celebrated by the community she has served for decades.
Congratulations, Helen!
We are inspired by Helen’s lifetime of service, generosity, and unwavering dedication to making Vernon, Armstrong, and the North Okanagan a better place.
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