Two Comox Valley residents were recognized Wednesday for their outstanding contributions to the Comox Valley.Paul Helpard and Jim Milina of Comox were handed BC Community Achievement Awards at Government House in Victoria, along with 34 other B.C. residents."These two individuals are making a huge difference in the lives of residents in the Comox Valley and beyond," says Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. "I am so proud to see them receive these well-deserved accolades."Helpard has made a critical impact in his community by championing programs for developmentally disabled children. He has sponsored an annual golf tournament, raising more than $200,000 for the Comox Valley Child Development Association.He and his wife Christine have also brought the program Lose the Training Wheel to the Comox Valley. It teaches children with special needs how to ride bicycles, and in turn, gain self-assurance and self-reliance.Milina is a national ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Wheels in Motion event leader in the Comox Valley. Every day, he demonstrates his courage to move on after a life-changing injury and inspires others through motivational speeches and presentations to schools.Milina was the first quadriplegic to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro, where he set a world altitude record.— B.C. Liberal Government Caucus Communications