This years Annual General Meeting was well received and the award winners are as follows:
Award winner photo gallery
Jeannette Shannon Leadership Award
David Fisher has been a highly valued member of the OMOD Board of Directors for several years. He has also served on the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee.
David is a staunch supporter of OMOD and was instrumental in the development of several fundraising projects that were supported by T.D. Financial Group where he is a Sr. Vice President and Ombudsman.
David worked hard, behind the scenes, and was able to convince T.D. to become a major sponsor of the 2006 and 2007 Ability & Beyond Gala Dinners. As a member of our President's Advisory Council, he took it upon himself to launch a new initiative to raise funds, friends and fun - The TD Challenge BBQ. It began in 2005 as a concept to bring people literally out on the street in support of OMOD and to gain awareness of disability. This event, run solely by TD staff and chaired by David Fisher for 3 consecutive years, has become a great success in gross and net revenue, and awareness. In June 2007, TD volunteers served 7000 hamburgers in a 1 ½ hour period and staged an amazing show of support for OMOD.
David is also Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. David's business expertise and his calm, concise communication style have been much valued, along with his energy and enthusiasm. OMOD has faced several major decisions over the last few years and David could always been relied upon for thoughtful and valuable insight.
David has advised OMOD that he will be retiring from the Bank this year and that he and his wife are planning to travel. So, unfortunately, David is also resigning from the various Boards and Committees on which he serves.
Jeannette Shannon Post Polio Volunteer Award
The name Elizabeth Lounsbury is synonymous with Polio Canada, a program of March of Dimes Canada that provides support services to polio survivors, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals. A polio survivor, Elizabeth has worked tirelessly with March of Dimes for 23 years to create awareness of post-polio syndrome, a condition with symptoms that include weakness, fatigue, breathing and swallowing problems and muscle atrophy.
Elizabeth has been the Chair of Polio Canada since its creation in 2003 and has demonstrated exceptional leadership. She attends conferences and special events at home and abroad to promote awareness of post-polio syndrome, and remains steadfast in her community, where she is an active member of the Sudbury Post-Polio peer support group – a group she started in the 1980s.
“Elizabeth has been invaluable to March of Dimes’ Polio Canada program,” says Sheila Casemore, Group Development and Support Coordinator, National Programs with March of Dimes. She continues, “She is always ready to lend her leadership and support and is truly deserving of this recognition. “
Elizabeth has also served as a Board Member of Ontario March of Dimes, and has been an avid supporter and Chair of the Recreation and Integration Services program committee.
In addition to her volunteer work with March of Dimes, Elizabeth in an active member of her community, raising awareness of accessibility issues.
Reverend Roy Essex Award
For her dedication and long-term commitment as a March of Dimes volunteer, Kingston resident Rose Kelly was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Reverend Roy Essex Award. The award, created in 1981 in honour of Reverend Roy Essex, a dedicated and long-time Ontario March of Dimes volunteer – is presented to a volunteer who has demonstrated a high degree of commitment and made an outstanding contribution to the goals of Ontario March of Dimes.
Rose has been volunteering for March of Dimes at its Kingston office for close to 20 years. She has helped with office duties, providing administrative support to the Employment Services team, fundraising events and initiatives and general help where needed.
“We are truly fortunate to have benefited from Rose’s 20 years of volunteer service,” says Jennifer Wilson, Regional Employment Services Manager for Ontario March of Dimes, and who nominated Rose for the award. She continues, “Such loyalty and dedication is surely worthy of recognition.”
Judge George Ferguson Award
For her work with people with disabilities, Keli Cristofaro was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Judge George Ferguson Award. The award – established in 1981, honours the past President of Ontario March of Dimes, Judge George Ferguson. This honour is presented annually to a business, organization, or individual contributing in an outstanding way to enabling ‘equity and full participation for people with disabilities’ throughout Ontario.
Keli is a Therapeutic Recreationist dedicated to creating, promoting and supporting a variety of community-based integration recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. This past summer she spearheaded the “Strokes in Motion” dragon boat team at the Thunder Bay Dragon Boat festival. Her initiative allowed 15 stroke survivors to compete in the festival, and demonstrate that there can be active and meaningful life after a stroke.
“It is Keli’s passion for active living that radiates to her clients and consumers and our local chapter of Stroke Recovery Canada™,” says Todd Kennedy, who nominated Keli for the Judge George Ferguson award. “Her work with the “Strokes in Motion” dragon boat team helped generate awareness of life after a stroke, and more importantly, improved the self-esteem and confidence of persons living with stroke.”
Wade Hampton Employment Training Bursary
To help her pursue her goal of becoming a social worker, Bobbi Moore was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Wade Hampton Employment Training Bursary. The bursary honours Wade Hampton, who believed passionately that all people with physical disabilities have the opportunity to engage in full and meaningful employment. This honour is presented annually to an Ontarian with a physical disability requiring financial assistance in order to pursue a professional or career goal.
Bobbi first came to March of Dimes in 2006 as a Ryerson Social Work placement student working with the Recreation and Integration Services program. Throughout her placement with March of Dimes Bobbi has gone above and beyond what has been asked of her. She was instrumental in creating a new program called the “Coffee Club”, a weekly meeting held to promote a fun, supportive and inclusive environment for people who may have difficulty socializing.
“Bobbi has shown true dedication to March of Dimes, and has an unswerving commitment to achieving her goals,” says Donna Mackay, Manager of Recreation and Integration Services, and who nominated Bobbi for the bursary. “She is a credit to the spirit of the award, and to Wade Hampton’s vision.”
The bursary will help Bobbi towards her ultimate goal of acquiring a Masters of Social Work degree.
Barrier-Free Design Award of Merit
For its commitment to accessibility for people with physical disabilities, Quality Homes of Grimsby was awarded the 2007 March of Dimes Barrier-Free Design Award of Merit. The award, initiated in 1993 to promote public awareness of the importance of barrier-free design, is presented annually to the owner(s) of a building or facility that has been designed or renovated with special regard to accessibility for people with disabilities.
In April 2007, Quality Homes completed construction on a barrier-free model show home that showcases excellence in accessible design. The home is completely accessible and demonstrates over 26 barrier-free features that can be incorporated into a prospective buyer’s home.
“Quality Homes has gone above and beyond the criteria for this award,” says Anne Harland, who nominated Quality Homes for the Barrier Free award. “In addition they have trained sales staff with regard to the specific needs of individuals with disabilities – the barrier free model home enabled disabled consumers to see a variety of options that can be tastefully transferred into a home.”
The Quality Homes barrier-free model how home is the first of its kind in Ontario.
Vocational Rehabilitation Award
For their commitment to employing people with disabilities, the Bunting Road Staple Business Depot was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Vocational Rehabilitation Award. The award, created in 1987, recognizes private sector employers who create training and employment opportunities for persons with a disability. The award is presented annually to a business, organization, or agency making an outstanding contribution to the vocational rehabilitation and employment of adults with physical disabilities.
The store has created jobs for people with disabilities and demonstrated a willingness to work with March of Dimes’ Employment Services program.
“The Bunting Road Staples Business Depot has increased staff and community awareness of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities,” says Mark Tkach, Job Developer with Ontario March of Dimes, who nominated Staples Business Depot for the award.
Richard Kall Employee Award of Excellence
For his unceasing dedication to March of Dimes, Asif Syed was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Richard Kall Employee Award of Excellence. The award is presented to any full or part-time employee who demonstrates selflessness, excellence, improves the work environment and enhances customer service.
Asif Syed has been working with March of Dimes for 10 years, as both an attendant, and as an Educational Assistant and Life Skills Coach with the Literacy Options program, an educational/pre-vocational program that develops literacy, numeracy and self-management skills. His work with March of Dimes goes far and beyond his job – he is the first to volunteer to help with fundraising events, staff and community campaigns, and more. This past June, he helped coordinate attendant services at the Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology (FICCDAT).
“Asif’s infectious laugh can be heard through the hallways of the 10 Overlea Boulevard head office,” says Helen Gurlesky, FICCDAT Coordinator, who nominated Asif for the award. “But more important than his cheerful demeanor and willingness to help is his unswerving patience with and encouragement of his students.”
Asif is also an active member of the Toronto community, volunteering for a number of groups and community-based initiatives.
Community Partnership Award
For their commitment to barrier-free design, QuickContractors.com was awarded the 2007 Ontario March of Dimes Community Partnership Award, presented to an organization or community group for outstanding collaboration with Ontario March of Dimes in support of persons with disabilities. Created in 1997, this award recognizes the significance of the partner relationships across Ontario that further March of Dimes’ goals and contribute to its success.
QuickContractors.com acts as a quality control group that links consumers with reliable, pre-screened and properly insured contractors. The organization has partnered with March of Dimes to provide a source that allows contractors across Canada to learn how to construct barrier-free renovations and to become more sensitive to accessibility issues.
Recently, they held the 2nd Annual Accessibility Awareness Golf Tournament in support of the Accessible Home Renovation Project, in conjunction with March of Dimes. The project provided a charity barrier-free home renovation for a Cambridge family.
“QuickContractors.com has worked very hard to ensure that many of its 500+ contractors are familiar with what is involved in accessible home and office renovations,” says Joe Blasik, who nominated the organization for the award.
The Rick Hansen Award of Excellence
When Rick Hansen completed his "Man in Motion" World Tour, he was honoured by Ontario March of Dimes at the Toronto Mayor's Civic Lunch, and this award recognizing his accomplishment was inaugurated. The Rick Hansen Award of Excellence is presented periodically to the rare individual who has made an outstanding contribution, or accomplished an outstanding achievement benefiting the cause of persons with physical disabilities internationally.
Ontario March of Dimes is particularly pleased and proud to present this award - this year- to someone who feels like "one of the family" - The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Hounourable David C. Onley.
"David Onley is a respected author, broadcaster and tireless champion for persons with disabilities. Through this work, he has demonstrated the qualities needed for such an important position," stated the Prime Minister. "He has loyally served the province and his country in a number of roles, and I'm confident as Lieutenant-Governor, he will continue to do so."
Born in Midland and raised in Scarborough, David Onley joined Citytv as a science/weather specialist in 1984. Since then, he has served as an education specialist, a science and technology specialist, a news anchor, and producer.
Stricken with polio as a child, Mr. Onley was one of the first on-air personalities with a physical disability in Canada. In 1996, he received the Clarke Institute's Courage to Come Back award, and in 1997 he was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the King Clancy Award for Disabled Persons and remains active with the Canadian Foundation for Physical Disabled Persons, the Ontario March of Dimes, and Variety Village.