KEHAR SINGH AUJLA SELECTED FOR KUSHIRO CUP AS BURNABY’S 2011 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

KEHAR Singh Aujla, who emigrated from India in 1996, was this week chosen by the City of Burnaby to receive the Kushiro Cup as Burnaby's 2011 Citizen of the Year. The cup will be presented to Aujla on May 4 at the annual volunteer appreciation dinner.
New Westminister’s Sukh Sagar Gurdwara was thrilled at the news because Aujla has been volunteering with them for many years. The gurdwara congratulated him “on this well deserved recognition by the City of Burnaby and he continues to be an inspiration for both young and old.”
The gurdwara added: “Let’s all take an hour or so out each week and learn from Uncle Kehar Singh and volunteer and be the inspiration for others!”
According to a website for the top 25 immigrants of Canada contest, Aujla devotes a large portion of his time with the organization called Volunteer Grandparents and now has become a full-fledged grandfather.
* He has been a long-time dedicated volunteer with the Burnaby’s General Hospital, City Hall and Village Museum. He has also volunteered for the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Sikh temple.
* He has received the 2011 Seniors of Distinction Award for Healthy Living (Burnaby), and the 2010 SFU Gerontology Senior Leadership Award (Lower Mainland). In 2010, he was profiled in Volunteer Grandparents, which published a legacy book titled Growing from the Roots. He volunteers in his community for more than 40 hours a week.
* He uses public transport to all of his community volunteer positions, which sometimes becomes challenging.
* He is researching out to many organizations to volunteer and help in encouraging other immigrants to get involved in their communities.