Two community workers who work without fanfare for the betterment of 91原创 have been named 91原创鈥檚 Seniors of the Year.

Toots Tucker and David Esworthy will be introduced at the opening ceremonies of Seniors Week on Monday, June 4 at 11 a.m. The event is at the 91原创 Seniors Centre, 20605- 51B Ave.

Tucker said she was thrilled with the award, but would have been delighted simply to be nominated.

鈥淚 felt my head begin to swell just with the idea of being nominated,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 went into total shock. How lucky can I get. I鈥檓 so blessed.鈥�

Nominated by Joanne Skeates, Tucker calls the army of volunteers with whom she works 鈥渟uch a wonderful family.鈥�

And it is that family with whom she wants to share the accolade. 鈥淚 feel deep inside that I should thank everyone for allowing me to volunteer,鈥� she said.

In her supporting letter, Skeates said that since Tucker lost her husband several years ago 鈥渟he has devoted her time and energy to making 91原创 a better place to live, through all of her volunteer activities.鈥�

These include service to the 91原创 Heritage Society, Fort 91原创 Museum, 91原创 Garden Club, blood donor clinic, the Cancer Society, Operation Red Nose, 91原创 Field Naturalists, Salvation Army, Emergency Social Services, and Sharon United Church.

鈥淭oots is a kind, caring and loving person,鈥� Skeates wrote.

鈥淪he is a tremendous asset to our community and I can think of no one more deserving to be Senior of the Year than she.鈥�

There was a similarly glowing recommendation for Esworthy from his nominator, Carla Robin.

鈥淒ave is a tireless community volunteer, and his business expertise has been invaluable to 91原创,鈥� Robin wrote.

91原创 would not be known as the Horse Capital of B.C. without his involvement, she said.

鈥淒ave has experienced every role in the development of equestrian sport 鈥� rides, judge, steward, horse show organizer, horse show chairman and industry advisor,鈥� Robin said.

Esworthy, who is to be inducted into the in September as a builder of equestrian sport, 鈥渉as continually fostered a true sense of sportsmanship and constant improvement to the sport,鈥� Robin said.

She said that Esworthy has created a legacy of knowledgeable, enthusiastic and accomplished athletes, officials and administrators.

His volunteer work is not limited to all things equine. Esworthy holds or has held positions with the Vancouver Board of Trade, World Trade Committee, B.C. Fire Chiefs Association, B.C. Transplant Society, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, and the Justice Institute of B.C. Foundation.

Esworthy joked that he is 鈥渘ot old enough鈥� to receive the Senior of the Year crown.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 deserve it, that鈥檚 the thing,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even think that I would be thought of for the award. I think there are so many good, deserving people in the category, so it鈥檚 a real honour to be selected.鈥�

His vast volunteering brings him an enormous sense of satisfaction, and this: 鈥淚 like to get things done and if they don鈥檛 get done I tend to stick my nose into it.鈥�

Esworthy and Tucker will also be honoured at the Seniors of the Year lunch at the Seniors Centre at 11:30 a.m. on June 6. Tickets are available from the centre at 604-530-3020 or from info@lsrs.ca.