News Release
October 18, 2002
ONTARIO MEDALS FOR GOOD
CITIZENSHIP AWARDED TO 13 EXCEPTIONAL ONTARIANS
TORONTO – Minister of Citizenship Carl DeFaria joined the
Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, to
present the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship to thirteen individuals
who have made exceptional, long-term contributions to improving the
quality of life in Ontario and in their communities. The medals were
presented this morning at a formal ceremony in the front lobby of the
Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park.
The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship is an official award of the
province and recognizes and encourages the virtues of good
citizenship. Recipients must have made outstanding public
contributions through exceptional long-term efforts. The award
reflects their acts of selflessness, generosity, kindness and
exceptional contributions to community life. The award consists
of a silver medal emblazoned with the provincial coat of arms on one
side and the provincial flower, the trillium, on the other.
Nominations are made by individuals and community organizations
across Ontario. Since 1973, when the first Ontario Medal for Good
Citizenship ceremony was held, 372 people have received the
award.
A brief description of this year’s recipients of the Ontario
Medal for Good Citizenship is attached.
link
to Victor's award
Contacts:
Dan Remington
Communications Branch
Ministry of Citizenship
(416) 314-7242
Mike Campbell
Minister’s Office
(416) 325-1891
2002
Recipients of the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship
The following
is a brief description of this year’s recipients of the Ontario
Medal for Good Citizenship:
Mandy
Bonisteel, of Toronto, has worked for
more than 20 years to end violence against women and children in
Ontario, and internationally in Namibia and war-torn communities in
Kosovo, Bosnia-Hertzegovina, and Azerbaijan. She possesses incredible
insight into how to get people working together, and is
single-mindedly devoted to achieving her goal of protecting women and
children. Her significant achievements, both in Ontario and
internationally, have been accomplished while she has held a
challenging and demanding full-time teaching position at George Brown
College in the Assaulted Women and Children’s Worker/Advocate
Program.
Wai-Chi
Cheng, of Toronto, has worked
professionally as a newspaper manager and president, and as a
volunteer assisting Chinese newcomers to preserve and maintain their
heritage while integrating into Canadian society. Wai-Chi has provided
valuable leadership to a wide range of community groups including the
Chinese Community Centre of Ontario, the Chinese Institute of Arts
& Science Inc. in Ottawa, and the Chinese Benevolent Association
of Canada in Vancouver. He is also an Honourary Life Superintendent of
the Toronto Chung Wah Chinese School.
Arnold W. Crawford, of Thunder
Bay, has touched the lives and hearts of more people than we
will ever know. His greatest achievements are founded on his works of
charity with shut-ins and those individuals who are alone in the
community. He works with the elderly, the lonely, prisoners and
alcoholics. Arnold is a leader in Alcoholics Anonymous, a
local seniors’ centre and the president of the Elizabeth Court
Tenant Council, where he has organized events and social activities
for residents, especially the ageing and ill.
Victor
J. Deschenes, of Milton, has been a
strong supporter of many causes related to children, but prefers to do
it in a quiet way. Victor started by buying hundreds of baseball
jackets for an inner city school where many students were
disadvantaged. He pays for as many as 5,000 children at a time to
attend Toronto Blue Jays baseball games at the Skydome. And he has
purchased up to 500 bicycles at a time to donate to youngsters who had
none. Through the years, Victor has regularly provided significant
financial assistance to the Mississauga News Christmas Fund, Peel
Partners for a Drug Free Community, the Mississauga Waterfront
Festival and many others.
Dr.
Stafford W. Dobbin, of Niagara Falls, is
a devoted physician and long-time crusader for preventive medicine. He
founded Heart Niagara, an innovative program to promote heart health.
Among his many achievements, he developed citizen training in
CPR techniques and pioneered the Healthy Heart program in the schools
of Niagara Region, motivating students to take responsibility for
making healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to his huge contribution
as a cardiovascular specialist, Dr.Stafford was instrumental in the
creation of an Emergency Department at the Greater Niagara General
Hospital. He has also served as medical advisor for many international
marathons and has given countless hours of volunteer service though
the Lion’s Club.
Kathleen
Emily Harvey, of Mississauga, was 25
years old, a nurse and mother of two when she was diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis. After the progression of the disease obliged her
to use a chin-powered wheelchair, she mastered the art of mouth
painting. The sale of Kathleen’s work, transformed into Christmas
and note cards, has raised more than $200,000 for the Mississauga
chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and the Trillium
Health Centre Foundation. Kathleen has distinguished herself as a
strong advocate for people living in long-term and chronic care
facilities. She touches us all with her courage, creativity, and
compassion.
Terrence W.
Harkins, of Pembroke, has been described
as a model citizen and Ontario is a safer place thanks to his decades
of voluntary service with the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary.
During Terry’s dynamic tenure as Chief Superintendent, the auxiliary
expanded to 700 highly qualified volunteers who put in more than
160,000 hours each year in communities across Ontario. An educator by
profession, Terry believes deeply in the value of mentoring young
people. As head of the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre, he has
freely given his time and energy to helping outstanding students
develop their talents and abilities.
Lee Holling,
of Wallaceburg, is an eloquent advocate
for people with intellectual disabilities to be full participants in
community life. For the past 15 years, he has volunteered on many
fronts for the Ontario Association for Community Living, both locally
and provincially. Many colleagues credit his vision for revitalizing
and renewing the entire organization. Under his dynamic leadership,
the Wallaceburg chapter expanded its services and supports to reach
all parts of Chatham-Kent Region, empowering individuals and their
families in new and successful ways. Lee’s contagious enthusiasm and
his ability to bring people together impress all who know him.
Florence
Kehl, of Stratford, is the founder and
director of the House of Blessing, a non-profit organization that has
served thousands of less fortunate Stratford residents for the past 19
years. Providing food, clothing and household items, the facility is
an important community resource with the reputation of never turning
anyone away. The House of Blessing helps all in their time of need,
including other agencies, groups and shelters, offering material
support as well as encouragement. Most recently, Florence raised the
funds for a much-needed larger facility. She is to be commended for
her vision and staunch commitment to helping those most in need.
Orval Ladd,
of Lyn, is best known for his vision,
initiative, leadership and dedication to preserving the heritage of
the Village of Lyn and surrounding area. Over the years, he has served
on church and township committees, provided financial backing for
local sports teams and is still preserving and displaying the town’s
historical treasures. It was his burning enthusiasm
that sparked the idea of bringing the past to life in Lyn’s Heritage
Place in 2002. For years an active member of many organizations, and
eager volunteer who always lends a hand, Orval was recognized as Lyn
Village Citizen of the Year in 1998.
C. Alex
McFarlane, of Glencoe, has played a
major role in village activities since the early 1970s. He is renowned
for his fundraising efforts, and especially for the portable barbecue
he built to feed people in a campaign to raise funds for the Glencoe
Memorial Arena. He didn't stop there. Alex and his
barbecue take part in the annual Lions Club barbecue, along with
fundraisers for the Four Counties Health Centre. He
also conducts charity bingo games, one of which helped raise $325,000
for the Lions Club Sports Complex. Alex’s dedicated efforts have
left an indelible stamp on most of the community facilities in
Glencoe.
Stephen J.
Menich, of Waterloo, is celebrating his
50th continuous year of volunteer activity. He has
initiated, developed and supported numerous programs that serve people
in his area. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in
developing community-based schooling, and employment opportunities for
people with developmental disabilities. He has also
served the United Way in a leadership role for more than two decades.
Stephen has supported many new initiatives, including the Waterloo
County Hall of Fame, a facility opened in 1972 to commemorate
exceptional individuals in his area. Stephen was inducted into that
Hall of Fame in 1999 for his outstanding work in his community.
Jill Pariser, of Ingersoll, is
known as ‘Gramma Joy’ to the youngsters she works with in the
local ‘Breakfast for Kids’ program. A nurse by profession, Jill
has championed several projects for underprivileged and needy children
in her community. First she initiated the ‘Coats
for Kids’ campaign, to supply seasonal clothing for children. Then
she spearheaded ‘Breakfast for Kids’ to provide needy children in
two schools with a nutritious breakfast. Then it was ‘Camp Hope’,
the summer day camp program that uses volunteer youth counsellors to
make the summer a wonderful learning experience for all. |
