Media Advisory - Governor General to Present Caring Canadian Award to 30 Volunteers at the Citadelle of Québec

OTTAWA, Oct. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 30 volunteers from various sectors of society, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., during a ceremony at the Residence of the Governor General at the Citadelle of Québec.

About the Caring Canadian Award

Created in 1995, the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character. For more information or to nominate a deserving individual, visit caring.gg.ca.  

The ceremony schedule, along with the list of recipients and their citations, are attached.

Media covering the ceremony must contact the Rideau Hall Press Office the day
before the event. Accreditation must be shown at the Citadelle gate
(Côte de la Citadelle, near the St. Louis Gate) prior to accessing the Ballroom
via the administration door.

CEREMONY SCHEDULE

Members of the media are asked to observe the following schedule:

9:45 a.m.:	Media arrive at the Citadelle
10:30 a.m.:	Ceremony begins
	The Governor General speaks
	The Governor General presents the Caring Canadian Award
11:15 a.m.:	Interviews with recipients

RECIPIENTS AND CITATIONS

Michelle Amri
London, Ontario

As an active member of Butt Out!, an anti-tobacco industry advocacy club at Western University,  Michelle Amri educated young people about the hazards of smoking. Dedicated to this cause, she supported stronger non-smoking policies on campus, and facilitated the dialogue between the university community and the city of London through educational presentations at local schools.

Pierre Bond
Québec, Quebec

A dedicated volunteer for the past 12 years with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Pierre Bond has been preparing income tax and benefit returns for individuals who have a modest income. With his help, they are able to obtain the deductions and credits to which they are entitled. For the past 6 years, he has also been coordinating a group of 42 volunteers at the Patro de Charlesbourg community centre.

Stéphane Charron
Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham, Quebec

Stéphane Charron is the community's longest-serving volunteer first responder, having been recruited in 1996. He fulfills two 12-hour, on-call shifts each week, during which he responds to various emergencies.

Sarah Cook
Montréal, Quebec

Diagnosed with cancer at eight years old, Sarah Cook founded Sarah's Fund with a strong belief in the notion of "children helping children". Through the fund and through her work with the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, she has not only demonstrated her commitment to helping those affected by cancer, but also her ability to inspire others to get involved.

Bryan Durnin
Greenfield Park, Quebec

A student at Centennial Regional High School, Bryan Durnin has devoted himself to community engagement, serving as a member of the Art Crew and as student body president. He has also been involved as a student ambassador, volunteering at functions and shows, and as a peer mentor, helping younger students transition into secondary school.

Samar Effendi
Edmunston, New Brunswick

Since 1999, Samar Effendi has volunteered with the Edmunston Regional Hospital, and has dedicated herself to multiple educational and cultural charity initiatives in her community. She also participates in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, helping low-income families file their taxes.

Maurice Grégoire
Thetford Mines, Quebec

For over 20 years, Maurice Grégoire has been dedicated to bettering his community through his work with the Table de Concertation des aînés de Chaudière-Appalaches, the Fondation Carrier-Fecteau, and the Société nationale des Québécois et Québécoises de l'amiante. He has also volunteered with D'Hommes à Hommes for over 15 years, aiding in the prevention of domestic and family violence.

Francine Grondines
Shannon, Quebec

Francine Grondines has been volunteering for the Valcartier Family Centre since 2011, where she reaches out to families experiencing the absence of a loved one, to help them cope and to assure them they are not alone during difficult times, through the centre's telephone support line. She oversees a bilingual committee working to build ties between Anglophone and Francophone volunteers to get involved in community activities. 

Valerie Hanet
Williams Lake, British Columbia

Valerie Hanet has devoted volunteer time and effort as a librarian and fundraiser for the Maranatha Christian School. She was pivotal in substantially increasing the size of the library, maintaining student access to books through the Scholastic Order Program, and working with the drama program initiatives.

Raymond Juneau
Québec, Quebec

For over 20 years, Raymond Juneau has dedicated his time to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, preparing income tax and benefit returns for individuals who have a modest income. His efforts have helped them to benefit from the deductions and credits to which they are entitled. Last year, he prepared numerous returns at the Le Pivot community centre.

Yolande Labrie
Saint-Damien-de-Buckland, Quebec

Yolande Labrie has been a dedicated member of the Cercles de Fermières du Québec for several years, also serving as its president. Through her leadership and determination, she has ensured that cultural and artisanal heritage will be passed down to the next generation, and has shared her love of community with women across Quebec.

Daniel Lanteigne
Montréal, Quebec

After having two amputations in his youth, Daniel Lanteigne became involved with The War Amps where he shares the organization's safety message with young people through live presentations, videos and media interviews. He currently serves on the honorary committee of the Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay-de-Montréal Foundation, having undergone rehabilitation at the institute himself.

Roland Larivière
Saint-Georges, Quebec

Roland Larivière has been volunteering since 1947, and his involvement with those most in need has taken him to Guatemala and Romania, where he helped build orphanages. Since his retirement, he has continued to serve his community by volunteering with his church, by putting together food hampers for Saint-Vincent de Paul de l'Assomption, and by collecting, sorting and repairing items for the less fortunate who depend on the Comptoir Régional de Beauce.

Nicole Lemire
Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham, Quebec

Nicole Lemire is a volunteer first responder. For over 10 years, she has worked on-call several times a week, in 12-hour shifts, during which she responds to emergencies of all kinds.

Carol Lepage
Québec, Quebec

Carol Lepage sits on the board of directors of his parish and has been volunteering with Centre d'action bénévole Aide 23 for eight years, distributing weekly food baskets to families in need. Mr. Lepage also dedicates his time to helping those affected by crime and addiction, through his work with the Donnaconna Institution correctional facility and with the Fraternité Saint-Alphonse shelter.

Gordon Mackay
Grand Bend, Ontario

Gordon Mackay coordinates fundraising and recruitment activities for organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Canadian Cancer Society, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the local Rotary Club. He also encourages others to give back to their community through his work with the Grand Bend Men's Probus and with Pinery Provincial Park.

Terry McKenzie
Bear Island, Ontario

For the last eight years and at her own expense, Terry McKenzie has organized free weekly movie nights in Lake Temagami as a way to encourage youth to get involved in the community. Her ongoing engagement in local school fundraising events is also a testament to her selflessness and her giving spirit. 

Cyprienne Morissette
Saint-Georges, Quebec

A volunteer since the age of 12, Cyprienne Morissette founded the Inner Wheel Club in 1984, which helps disadvantaged children in area elementary schools. Most of her volunteer work has been with the Maison Catherine de Longpré, a residence for people with terminal cancer in Beauce for which, in 1987, she organized a fundraising campaign that, in six months, raised enough money to build a palliative care unit that opened in 1989.

Thi Mui Nguyen Bui
Westmount, Quebec

For over 30 years, Thi Mui Nguyen Bui has supported the integration of newcomers. In addition to distinguishing herself by her professional and community involvement, this artist and philanthropist sells her artwork at numerous collective exhibitions to raise funds for various causes.

Doug Procter
Grand Bend, Ontario

Doug Procter dedicates his time to his community as member and secretary of the Grand Bend Men's Probus, and as an active member of the Grand Bend and Area Horticultural Society. He also enjoys sharing his love of music with others through his work with the Huron Shores United Church Choir and the Seaforth Harmony Kings.

Cherina Quinney
Lac La Biche, Alberta

Cherina Quinney has volunteered as a student ambassador and president of the Portage College Student Association, all while raising her daughter and attending full-time studies. She has also been a student representative at meetings with government officials, to advocate for student funding and improved access to services in northern communities.

Philippe Reid
Québec, Quebec

Philippe Reid has been volunteering with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program for 26 years. He continues to prepare income tax and benefit returns for individuals who have a modest income, helping them benefit from the deductions and credits to which they are entitled. A volunteer at the Partage Chrétien Les Saules help centre, he prepared numerous returns last year.

Renaud Robinson
Gros-Morne, Quebec

For the past 15 years, Renaud Robinson has been a cadet squadron commander who inspires his cadets to become more engaged in their community. He also helps with recruitment and training as a volunteer firefighter captain, and is a volunteer hockey referee in Gaspésie.

Rose Line Sheehan
Petit-Cap, Quebec

Rose Line Sheehan has been volunteering with the Children's Wish Foundation for 26 years. She meets with sick children and their families, organizes fundraisers, and recruits volunteers for her committee in the Gaspé region. Her leadership and outstanding generosity are assets to the organization.

Bettyanne Thib-Jelly
Englehart, Ontario

Bettyanne Thib-Jelly has volunteered in her community of Englehart, Ontario, for over 60 years. She has made a difference through her extensive involvement with St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, the Town of Englehart, the Englehart Rotary Club, Temiskaming Cancer Care, and the Englehart Public Library Board.

Serge Thomassin
Saint-Georges, Quebec

Serge Thomassin volunteers for several organizations in his community including the Cub Scout movement, Les Amants de la scène, an air show, the Comité des Fêtes de Saint-Georges, and the Association pour l'intégration sociale Beauce-Sartigan. He has also given a great deal of his time to the fight against cancer and organized the first seven Relay For Life events.

Ernest Verret
Québec, Quebec

Over the past 18 years, Ernest Verret has donated his time to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, preparing income tax and benefit returns for individuals who have a modest income. With his help, they are able to obtain the deductions and credits to which they are entitled. Last year, he prepared numerous returns at the Patro de Charlesbourg community centre.

Leslie Vertes
Montréal, Quebec

Leslie Vertes, a Holocaust survivor, has dedicated his time to the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors, where he has helped victims of war reclaim millions in reparations. At 91 years old, Mr. Vertes continues to travel to schools as a guest speaker, inspiring his community and youth to be more caring and compassionate.

Vincent Villeneuve
Hanmer, Ontario

Vincent Villeneuve has been a member of his school's charitable organization, OUICare, since its 2013 inception, helping to raise funds for both local and international initiatives. He also volunteers at his local soup kitchen and is an active participant in multiple causes, such as the Coldest Night of the Year, and the We Are Silent and We Day campaigns of Free The Children.

Yohan Yemba
Regina, Saskatchewan

Yohan Yemba is a Grade 12 student at Harvest City Christian Academy. He is on the basketball team, the Student Representative Council, the worship team and the drama club. Some of his notable contributions include mission trips to Sudan in November 2013, and to Pelican Narrows in 2011 and 2012. He also leads the worship team at Wellsprings Victory Church.

SOURCE Governor General

Marie-Pierre Bélanger, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-9166 (office), 613-852-3248 (cell), [email protected]