A Jasperite has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Municipal councillor Helen Kelleher-Empey was presented with the honour on February 28 by Yellowhead Member of Parliament Gerald Soroka.
Along with her council duties, Kelleher-Empey is a board member of the Evergreens Foundation, the non-profit seniors housing management body serving Jasper and five other municipalities in the region.
On July 22, 2024, Kelleher-Empey, along with thousands of residents and visitors, was evacuated to Valemount as wildfire threatened Jasper. During the incredibly stressful week that followed, Kelleher-Empey was steadfast in helping her fellow residents who were also displaced, and was a lifeline for local seniors in particular.
“During the wildfire, Helen was a true Canadian leader,” Soroka told dozens of Jasperites who gathered at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge. “She showed up tirelessly to help seniors with paperwork, laundry, friendly visits and excursions.”
To be awarded the King Charles Coronation Medal, eligible candidates must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada.
Soroka said Kelleher-Empey’s service to local seniors has been above and beyond that criteria.
“The dedication of this community leader in the face of such an unimaginable crisis is worth of recognition,” he said.
Kelleher-Empey said it was a major honour to receive the King Charles III Medal.
“I accepted this for all of the people involved with working with our seniors during the wildfires,” she said.
