March 21, 2011: Blue Jackets' Day

Olympic, Paralympic volunteers day proclaimed!

VICTORIA – The provincial government has proclaimed March 21, 2011 as “Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day,” announced Deputy Premier Kevin Falcon today.

“The highly-recognizable blue jacket clad Olympic volunteers were the welcoming and smiling face of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for thousands of our visitors,” said Falcon. "Their selfless commitment and dedication to serving helped to make our Games the most successful Winter Olympics ever.”

An estimated 25,000 people served as volunteers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, including more than 1,000 volunteers from around the world.

“British Columbians have a well-deserved reputation for their willingness to volunteer in community and charity groups,” said the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant-Governor of B.C. “Our strong volunteer spirit was on display throughout the Olympic and Paralympics and I want to thank all 25,000 volunteers for making the Games a truly special and memorable event.”

In total eight proclamations were made by the Province recognizing 17 British Columbian athletes who won medals individually or as members of a team and those who served as volunteers during the Olympics or Paralympics. The full list of proclamations includes:

· Maelle Ricker Day (Feb. 16, 2011)

· Ashleigh McIvor Day (Feb. 23, 2011)

· Chris Le Bihan and Denny Morrison Day (Feb. 27, 2011)

· Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Brent Seabrook, Roberto Luongo and Shea Weber Day (Feb. 28, 2011)

· Josh Dueck and Lindsay Debou Day (March 13, 2011)

· Lauren Woolstencroft and Karolina Wisniewska Day (March 15, 2011)

· Ina Forrest, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour Day (March 20, 2011)

· Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day (March 21, 2011)

*************

The text of the “Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day” proclamation reads:

WHEREAS we recognize the invaluable contributions made to the hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by the tens of thousands of volunteers who helped make the event the most successful Winter Games in history, and

WHEREAS the volunteers were the smiling and welcoming ambassadors of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and

WHEREAS the familiar blue jackets of the volunteers were one of the most memorable icons of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and

WHEREAS Our Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, has been pleased to enact Order in Council 903 on October 11, 2002;

NOW KNOW YE THAT We do by these presents proclaim and declare that March 21, 2011, shall be known as

“Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day”

in the Province of British Columbia.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Great Seal of Our Province to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS, The Honourable Steven L. Point, Lieutenant Governor of Our Province of British Columbia, in Our City of Victoria, in Our Province, this fourteenth day of February, two thousand eleven and in the sixtieth year of Our Reign.

BY COMMAND.

***********
I am so proud to count myself among the beloved Blue Jackets of the 2010 Games. People still stop me to ask for help or directions when I am wearing my jacket. Those Jackets and the people in them made an indelible impression on the world. I am extremely proud of that legacy and today I celebrate it, along with thousands of others who came from across Canada to serve visitors from around the world, this country, this province, this city and most importantly, the Olympic and Paralympic Athletes. It was our privilege and our honour.