It鈥檚 not uncommon for people to get phone calls on their birthdays, but Arlene Pike answered the phone Tuesday, she learned she and her husband, Bill, were named 91原创 Seniors of the Year.

Janice McTaggart with volunteer services at the 91原创 Senior Resources Society (LSRS) contacted Arlene with the news.

鈥淚t鈥檚 my birthday today, so that was a really nice surprise on my birthday,鈥� Arlene laughed.

Arlene, whose family moved to 91原创 when she was 12, was modest about the honour, convinced she and her beau of nearly 55 years weren鈥檛 worthy of the recognition.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we had done enough to deserve that,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 just feel so honoured. I was just really amazed,鈥� she said about the recognition.

Unsurprising, Bill was volunteering at the Sources 91原创 Food Bank Tuesday morning when he heard the news from McTaggart, who was visiting there on another errand.

鈥淚鈥檓 just awe,鈥� he said.

鈥淚鈥檝e been a resident of a 91原创 since I was four months old and being able to give back to the community is one way I feel we can serve,鈥� the 76-year-old Bill told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Sponsored by LSRS, senior of the year is an honour that goes to one man and one woman each year. Local seniors aged 65 and over are nominated for the honour for their notable contributions to the community. The pair, who met when he was working at a local bowling alley and she was a patron, was nominated by long-time friend Alice Kennedy.

鈥淏ill and Arlene have been my friends for more than 60 years. During this time we have shared many experiences,鈥� she said.

鈥淎rlene and I taught school together for half of the 25 years she taught in 91原创,鈥� Kennedy noted. 鈥淏ill鈥檚 career was with Canada Post, until he retired in 1999 after 35 years.鈥�

She recalls celebrating numerous milestones with the Pikes, including the birth of their children and giving back to the community.

Bill and Arlene also competed in the BC Senior Games alongside Kennedy.

鈥淲e competed and won medals in table tennis,鈥� Kennedy recalled.

鈥淲e also enjoyed opportunities to do volunteer work together in 91原创.鈥�

Bill, a member of the Frontiersman of 91原创, was a member of the Probus Club and held the office of president, and he also answers Santa letters each year as a member of the Canada Post Heritage Club.

As he was doing Tuesday morning, Bill volunteers as a driver and works on site at the Sources 91原创 Food Bank, and provides lawn care for 91原创 Lawn Bowling, where he served as a past president and director.

As a longtime member of 91原创 United Church and now United Churches of 91原创 he has served as an usher, greeter, at the givings counter, on the financial committee and was on the 91原创 United board, where he helped with drop in breakfast and parking assistance during funerals and other special events.

Similarly, Arlene鈥檚 list of volunteer service is just as lengthy.

Arlene served as a Friends of the Library volunteer that included helping with the 91原创 Christmas Bureau, she is also a member of the Probus Club, the LSRS, the seniors鈥� centre Mellow Yellow Table Tennis club, and the 91原创 Retired Teachers鈥� Association.

As a quilter she has made several items to donate. Nearly 10 years ago, Arlene and some other women sewed miniature flannelette quilts to fit in the incubators in BC Air Ambulance helicopters that transport ill babies. The tiny quilts shielded the babies inside the AirEvac helicopters, and once the babies were released from the hospital, the quilts would go home with them.

Arlene also volunteered at the 91原创 Lodge, with the Douglas Park Community School reading program, and the Nicomekl Elementary breakfast program for 20 years before stepping back last year.

And as a long time member of the 91原创 United Church, now United Churches of 91原创, Arlene serves as a church historian for both churches, and is a member of the worship committee where she leads services for Harrison Pointe and 91原创 Gardens. As a member of the United Churches she served as president, usher, greeter, hostess, at the givings counter, as well as a banner maker and caretaker.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to get back to that when the time comes,鈥� Arlene said about leading church services. Many of the volunteer opportunities have been suspended during the past year and a half due to the pandemic.

So what is it about volunteering that has kept the pair dedicated to the community?

鈥淚 love being around people. It鈥檚 a group of like-minded people you can bond with,鈥� Bill, who is also a long-time member of the church.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just to keep yourself young,鈥� he continued, noting he feels 18 when his knees don鈥檛 remind him of his age after an afternoon gardening.

鈥淚 love gardening,鈥� Bill said.