Skip to content

Honoured for a lifetime of giving back

Giving back to his community is just a way of life for Rev. Jim Short. "I learned that from my father and grandfather," he said. "You contribute to the commonwealth of the community.
short
Rev. Jim Short shared Citizen of the Year honours at the Delta Chamber of Commerce’s Hats Off to Excellence gala last Friday at Tsawwassen Springs.

Giving back to his community is just a way of life for Rev. Jim Short.

"I learned that from my father and grandfather," he said. "You contribute to the commonwealth of the community."

Short was named Citizen of the Year at the Delta Chamber of Commerce's annual Hats Off to Excellence gala last Friday night. The award was a tie this year with Jim Stimson also honoured.

"My first reaction was, I was surprised actually," he said, adding he never expected to be nominated, let alone win the award.

"I was very pleased to win with Jim," Short said, adding he respects Stimson's work in the community.

Ordained in 1982, he served at churches in Newfoundland, Toronto and on Vancouver Island before coming to Ladner. He arrived at Ladner United Church in 2001 and has tried to remain involved in the community ever since. He has done advocacy work for mental health, worked with the Ladner Business Association and Delta Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store, and led the renovation of the church with the aim of creating a space to be shared with the community.

A military chaplain with the Canadian Army Reserve for 25 years, Short has helped train, screen and counsel Canadian soldiers getting ready to deploy into a war zone. He also helps returning soldiers acclimatize back into day-to-day life at home and has delivered the devastating news to families who have lost a loved one serving overseas.

In 2008, Short was granted a leave from Ladner United Church. He was one of the thousands of Canadian Forces members deployed to Afghanistan and spent eight months on the front lines of the conflict.