Recipient Francis Cheung was given his King's Coronation Medal by Langley-Aldergrove MP Tako van Popta in February 2025 in Fort Langley. (Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance Times)
A Langley resident with a long history of volunteering has received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, Canada's highest honour for volunteer service.
This national award celebrates Canadians who have made significant, sustained, and unpaid contributions to their communities, both at home and abroad.
"I was really quite surprised, honoured and humbled to receive this prestigious award," Cheung said. "I have worked alongside many dedicated people in each organization, who have done tremendous amounts of work for many years. I immediately thought about all of these people who also deserve this medal. Their generosity and selflessness inspires me and many others."
The medal was presented by Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal on behalf of the Governor General of Canada at a ceremony with immediate family members and a handful of friends.
Cheung, who has been Langley City's chief administrative officer for many years, has volunteered for many local and regional groups.
"I have fallen into roles at the various organizations because of personal connections. My parents took ESL classes with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. when our family immigrated to Canada, and my children were involved with various competitive sports and the BC Summer Games," he explained. "In seeing the positive impacts of these organizations, where everyone is working together to create good for people in the community, then it naturally makes me want to contribute. I think of how much I've gained from my community, and that inspires me to give back.
He said he believes contributing and being part of the solutions is extremely important.
"When everyone gives a little, a lot can be achieved. I have also gained as much as I have given with volunteering. I've grown both personally and professionally, by taking on leadership roles and by being on executive boards, where I've navigated complex and complicated issues and expanded my skill set. Most importantly, I wanted to show support for my children by being involved with the organizations that they care about. I hope that they've gained an appreciation of the responsibility of taking on leadership roles, and of the things you gain, such as integrity, empathy, humility, resiliency, and perseverance."
He said he's grateful for having the support of his family which has allows him to pursue such interests.
"The volunteer work and the people are also a whole lot of fun," he added.
has devoted more than two decades to volunteer work, contributing hundreds of hours to organizations such as S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the BC Games Society, and the BC Summer Swimming Association. His efforts have supported newcomer settlement, affordable housing, seniors' care, and youth sports, strengthening community ties and inspiring participation across the province.
From 2012 to 2018, Francis served as a director with S.U.C.C.E.S.S., helping advance programs for newcomers and seniors in B.C., Toronto, and overseas offices in Asia.
Since 2022, he has been finance chair for the BC Games Society, guiding strategic and financial planning for the BC Winter and Summer Games.
Previously, as vice-president of the BC Summer Swimming Association, he developed a Strategic Plan, rewrote the Rule Book for aquatic disciplines, and managed member discipline. He also officiates at provincial and national swim events and volunteers at athletics, gymnastics, canoe and kayak, and volleyball competitions.
Beyond sports, Francis has raised service dogs for the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society and volunteered for Operation Red Nose, ensuring safe rides for community members during the holiday season.
Based on his many years of volunteering, he's developed a vision he would like to pursue.
"The benefits of sport for young people can be tremendous. And yet, we know that there is a very high cost to organized sport, and there are many children who don't have the opportunity or resources to participate," he said. "In the future I hope to bring together various public and private organizations to create a support network and financial system to assist these children. We know there is a significant time commitment for parents to take their children to practices and competitions as well as the financial burdens of registration, travel, transportation and accommodation costs."
He said his strategy would be to work with sports clubs to secure necessary funding, and to match volunteers with the children to bring them to practices and competitions. This will allow some of these children their first real tastes of organized sports and will allow them to experience the values of dedication, focus, commitment, perseverance, team work, and drive. The impacts would be multi-generational.
"These positive experiences will encourage them to make good decisions for their futures," he said of the youth. "That's what keeps me inspired to continue volunteering."
Earlier this year, he also received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, for his community service and volunteerism.
Cheung encouraged others to get involved.
"People have busy lives, and it is very challenging to find time to volunteer, but volunteerism is the backbone of a thriving and compassionate community," he commented. "So just jump in and volunteer as much as you can, and it will be extremely rewarding."