Kelowna

The Executive Director of Kelowna's Community Food Bank is one of the first 60 recipients of the newly created Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Photo: Contributed

Kelowna Food Bank Executive Director, Vonnie Lavers received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal given to Canadians for their work in community service. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

The medal honours the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.

Vonnie Lavers and 59 other distinguished Canadians were presented with the medals by Governor General david Johnston and Prime Minister Harper.

The ceremony took place Monday morning in Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General.

Lavers was cited "For her commitment to providing healthy food to families in need."

She is one of eight British Columbians to receive the award.

Other notable recipients Monday included Darrell Fox, brother of Terry Fox and Olympic gold medalist Alexandre Bilodeau.

During the year, 60,000 Canadians will receive the honour.

In order to be eligible for this honour, a person must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, but need not necessarily reside in Canada
• Have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada, or an achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada
• Be alive on February 6th, 2012, the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. The medal can be awarded posthumously, as long as the recipient was alive on that date.