Our Local Community Legend

We believe that building a better world starts by building up those around you. The Local Community Legends program is created to highlight the outstanding members of the community. These individuals are called Legends as they display humility and selflessness while simultaneously providing tremendous support for those in need.

In 2022, we wanted to award this Community Legend title to our community volunteer, Eric Berkefeld. For more than a decade, Eric has donated his time and energy to assisting seniors. As a volunteer driver for Burnaby Citizen Support Services, Eric uses his personal vehicle to transport seniors to and from activities at Confederation Seniors Centre while also taking the time to socialise with them. Eric also goes the extra mile and provides support as a phone buddy volunteer, conducting weekly wellness check-in calls and providing companionship and a supportive listening ear to Burnaby's isolated seniors.

The list of Eric's phenomenal contributions to this community is truly inspirational. During the midst of the pandemic, Eric was volunteering at the local food bank. He is also a member of the Vancouver Welshmen's Choir, which has generously donated complimentary performance tickets to Citizen Support Services for years, providing isolated seniors with an opportunity to enjoy an uplifting evening of music and song.

To show Eric our gratitude and thank him for all his kind contributions, we invited Eric to Destination Mazda Vancouver under the guise of a complimentary vehicle detailing appointment. Upon his arrival, we surprised him with a set of 4 all-weather tires with installation, a Mazda Roadside Assistance Kit, a Mazda First Aid Kit, a new smartphone, a gas card, and more, with a total value of $5,000 in gifts. We hope that these items will go a long way in helping in his volunteering efforts for years to come.

Make sure to check out the video below to see Eric's reaction to our surprise! Thank you again, Eric, for everything you have done for this community we call home.