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 Wednesday evening put on by the MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission at Meadow Gardens Golf Club.

In his explanation 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 McDonald’s at Dewdney Trunk Road and 227th Street since 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 at an event last month in Mission.

Each recipient was selected for their dedication and exceptional service to the community.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created to mark the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.