OTTAWA, April 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will participate in activities highlighting National Volunteer Week, from April 23 to 29, 2017.
"As Sharon and I celebrate National Volunteer Week once again, we think back to all the generous and compassionate Canadians we have met over the years through our travels," said the His Excellency. "I am very proud to say that since the start of my mandate as governor general, more than 1 500 volunteers have been recognized with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers as part of efforts to highlight volunteerism and philanthropy in our country. I believe that we have also made great progress in discovering what encourages Canadians to give. This will be the main focus of a national conference on giving that we will host on April 27 at Rideau Hall."
Their Excellencies' itinerary for the week is outlined below:
Monday, April 24
10:30 a.m.
Presentation of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers
His Excellency will present the Medal for Volunteers to 46 deserving individuals during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. The list of recipients and their citations will be issued in a separate media advisory.
The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers recognizes the remarkable volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields. As an official Canadian honour, the Medal pays tribute to the dedication and exemplary commitment of volunteers. For more information about the program or to nominate an exceptional volunteer, visit caring.gg.ca.
Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Marie-Pierre Bélanger, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-9166, [email protected]
Wednesday, April 26
2:30 p.m.
Visit to The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre
Their Excellencies will attend The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre Foundation's Annual Donor Reception. During the event, the Governor General will deliver remarks to celebrate the generosity of the Centre's volunteers, caregivers and donors, and will present the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers to Mr. Dave Hamel and Mr. François Savard, two of the Centre's volunteers.
The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre is one of the largest long-term care homes in Ontario, with 200 beds for seniors from the community alongside 250 beds for veterans. With a staff of more than 800 supported by approximately 400 volunteers, the Perley Rideau enables all residents and seniors in the neighbouring community to live their lives to the fullest in a safe, supported and cheerful environment.
For more information, visit www.perleyrideau.ca.
The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, 1750 Russell Road, Ottawa
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Jay Innes, Director of Communications, 613-526-7171 ext. 2207, [email protected]
Thursday, April 27
9 a.m.
Working Together for the Common Good: The Governor General's Conference on Giving
His Excellency will host this one-day national conference that will focus on three major themes: the State of the Nation on Giving; Millennials, Values and Giving Behaviour; and the Application of Behavioural Science Principles to Encourage Giving. The objectives of the conference are to share views on current trends in giving and how this behaviour can best be encouraged; to increase connectivity among sectors; and to explore and inform participants on the development of a national approach to encourage giving behaviour through the Giving Behaviour Project, an initiative of the Rideau Hall Foundation. Details about the conference program and the panellists will be announced at a later date.
Rideau Hall
OPEN TO MEDIA
Friday, April 28
8:30 a.m.
Presentation of the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers at Ottawa City Hall by
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston
Along with Mayor Jim Watson, Her Excellency will present the Medal for Volunteers to more than 65 dedicated volunteers from Canada's Capital Region. The names of the recipients and their citations will be issued in a separate media advisory at a later date.
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
OPEN TO MEDIA
MEDIA CONTACT: Melanie Primeau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, [email protected]
Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.
SOURCE Governor General of Canada
Media information: Marie-Ève Létourneau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-998-0287, 613-302-0912 (cell), [email protected]
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