MP Randy Kamp honoured several people who have worked hard in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, but he also chose to honour a long-time McDonald's worker who knows how to keep her customers happy.

Karen Venables took part in the ceremony last Wednesday evening put on by Kamp's office at Meadow Gardens Golf Club.

In his submission on why she was chosen, Kamp said "[Venables] loves her job and the guests - what she calls her 'extended family' - and gets to know them and their aspirations and challenges, so she will often provide an encouraging word, a little advice, or even a hug. I know this from personal experience."

Venables has lived in Maple Ridge since 1976, raising two sons Robert and Colin.

She started working at the McDonald's restaurant at Lougheed Highway and 227th Street in 1986.

"We need more people like Karen Venables," Kamp said.

Kamp also presented medals to former Pitt Meadows Mayor Don MacLean, Pitt Meadows citizen of the year 1999 Carole Kubb, former Pitt Meadows councillor John Becker, Pitt Meadows citizen of the year 2012 Dolores Lutner, ex-servicewoman Margaret Kury, the local Christmas hamper's Lorraine Bates, former TIMES publisher Fred Armstrong, hospital foundation chair Ron Antalek, volunteer chaplain Ed Bradley, former RCMP officer and Sunshine Foundation volunteer Daryl Stone, school trustee Kathy Marshall, local fundraiser Miranda Tymoschuk, Rotarian Bob Thompson, Dave Smith from KEEPS, and Girl Guide volunteer Melanie Kerr.

Dr. Marco Terwiel also received a medal last month at an event in Mission, and Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Asante, who heads the Asante Centre, will receive one on Dec. 17.

"Each recipient was selected for their dedication and exceptional service to the community," the official statement for Kamp's office read.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.