April 14, 2004 OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, will present 18 volunteers with the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday, April 16, 2004 at 10:30 a.m.The Governor General's Caring Canadian Award is presented to individuals and groups whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in the community. Recipients have served over a number of years and normally have not been recognized previously by a national or provincial honour.The award consists of a framed certificate and a lapel pin for everyday wear. The award symbol represents Canadians who selflessly give of their time and energy to others. The awards are presented by the Governor General in communities across Canada as her travels permit or by a designate of Her Excellency.GOVERNOR GENERAL'S CARING CANADIAN AWARD Eugene Barna, Leamington, Ont. Yvonne Carisse, Ottawa, Ont. Madeleine Chenail, (Posthumous) Ottawa, Ont. Rosamund Conway, Ottawa, Ont. Jean L. Gagnon, Sturgeon Falls, Ont. Catherine W. Graham, Ottawa, Ont. Evelyn Horne, Ottawa, Ont. Ted Hyndman, Elliot Lake, Ont. Major (Retd) William David Wendell Lewis, C.D., Nepean, Ont. Etta Lunam, Campbell's Bay, Que. Eleanor and Tom Mather, Kanata, Ont. Anne and Jim McNeill, Ottawa, Ont. Edna Muriel Sparkes, Beaverlodge, Alta. Richard W. F. Tasker, Ottawa, Ont. Keith Watson, Kingston, Ont. Master Warrant Officer Marilyn B. White, Lourdes, Nfld.The recipients' citations follow.Media interested in covering this event are asked to arrive by 10:00 a.m.-30-Media information Lucie Brosseau or France Langlois Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-0287 or (613) 993-8157 www.gg.caPublic information The Chancellery of Honours Government House (613) 991-0895 or 1-800-465-6890 For more information on the Canadian Honours System, please visit the Governor General's web site at www.gg.caEugene Barna, Leamington, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardEugene Barna has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to youth in his community. For 40 years, he was a member of the 2nd Leamington Scout group committee, serving as chairperson, secretary and treasurer. He organized and participated in countless fundraising activities and did much of the bookkeeping for the financial committee. Since 1968, he has been a committee member of a local youth camp and, for more than 25 years, has served the advisory committee for Point Pelee National Park. Whether shovelling snow for senior citizens in his neighbourhood, volunteering for the local police services board or hosting a local Ukrainian radio program, Mr. Barna is always willing to be of service to others.Yvonne Carisse, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardSince 1955, Yvonne Carisse has worked with the Société Sainte-Élisabeth to sort, repair and distribute clothing to disadvantaged people in St. Anne's parish in Ottawa. For 24 years, as a member of the Montfort Hospital women's auxiliary, she has helped repair clothing for palliative care patients. She also knits year-round and prepares hundreds of tourtières for the Montfort's annual Christmas bazaar to raise funds for the purchase of medical equipment. Her perseverance and reliability make her an indispensable volunteer who has provided invaluable assistance to people in difficult situations.Madeleine Chenail, Ottawa, Ontario (Posthumous) Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor over 60 years, Madeleine Chenail devoted herself completely to her community and her large family. Despite her busy schedule, she always took the time to offer hope, encouragement and support to patients at Saint-Vincent's Hospital and the Montfort Hospital. She spent more than 20 years delivering meals and answering the telephone for the Filles du Roi's meals-on-wheels program, 15 years canvassing door to door for the Kidney Foundation of Canada and 10 years translating for The Foundation Fighting Blindness - Canada. In addition, she was a very successful fundraiser for a number of charitable organizations over the years. Mrs. Chenail truly gave her heart and soul to those with whom she shared her life. Rosamund Conway, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardMost people would find that raising eight children leaves little free time. For Rosamund Conway, it was only a beginning. Through close to 50 years, Mrs. Conway has opened her home to refugee families, helping them through the difficult transition to life in a new country. Whether it was filling out forms, visiting the doctor, buying groceries or hunting for housing and jobs, Mrs. Conway offered practical assistance, as well as understanding and empathy, without any regard to colour, nationality, religion or financial circumstances. For 10 years she also helped out at a halfway house for young men, seeing to the needs of residents and helping with fundraising. Her kindness and caring have given warmth and hope to all she has met.Jean L. Gagnon, Sturgeon Falls, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardToday, thanks to more than 50 years of tenacious effort by Jean Gagnon, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board compensates people with occupational diseases. A vocal advocate for fellow workers living with cancer, Mr. Gagnon not only secured for them millions of dollars in compensation and pensions, but also recommended and spearheaded the creation of the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, thus allowing patients to receive their treatment closer to home. Despite his own health problems, Mr. Gagnon continues to work for the poor and the sick in his community.Catherine W. Graham, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor two decades, Catherine Graham has offered her time and skills to community organizations in Ottawa. At the United Way, she chaired the volunteer recruitment committee and the committee reviewing grants in health and social services. At the Community Foundation of Ottawa, she established a charitable fund in her name. At the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, she chaired the corporate advancement committee and established a musical education program for students. She has also served as treasurer for several community and arts organizations. Along with her expertise is a willingness to assume the lion's share of work, and a talent for making others feel appreciated.Evelyn Horne, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor 40 years, Evelyn Horne has served the Quota Club of Ottawa, an organization providing assistance to the hearing and speech impaired and to disadvantaged women and children. Since 1975, she has been involved with the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa, serving as president, a fundraiser and also involving herself directly with young women and single mothers, celebrating their birthdays by baking cakes and sewing curtains for residences. An active member of the Canadian Hearing Society in Ottawa for 40 years, she has supported the Society as a volunteer and by helping to establish the Ottawa Deaf Centre. A tireless advocate for youth and a committed champion of the deaf and hearing impaired, Miss Horne's lifelong dedication and legendary enthusiasm have made a difference in many lives.Ted Hyndman, Elliot Lake, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor 42 years, Ted Hyndman has been a basketball referee at Elliot Lake Secondary School, donating any fees earned to the school's athletic program. He also helped found several community leagues and associations for the sport. Since 1993, he has assisted in planning and promoting the Terry Fox Run and, for over 20 years, he has raised funds for the Elliot Lake Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run. He frequently draws on his familiarity with local students to pair them with senior citizens requiring assistance with household tasks. A consummate volunteer, Mr. Hyndman's 40 years of community service have benefited the sport of basketball, youth, seniors and people with disabilities.Major (Retd) William David Wendell Lewis, C.D., Nepean, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardBill Lewis joined the Kiwanis Club of Nepean in 1989, and has served on its board and as its president. A special interest of his has been the Youville Centre, which assists young single mothers and their children to become contributing members of society. He has helped provide furniture, clothing, toys and appliances and has also become someone to whom the Centre's clients turn for advice and support. For years, he has volunteered in a literacy program at a neighbourhood school with many children from low-income families. Not only does he read to the children but he also finds clothing for them and repairs their broken toys. Major Lewis has given kind and loving support for many years to those in need in his community.Etta Lunam, Campbell's Bay, Quebec Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardEtta Lunam has inspired generations of West Quebec residents by her example of service to the community. She has been treasurer of the Campbell's Bay Hospital Auxiliary for 50 years, and of the Central Hospital Auxiliary for 18 years. She has also served as treasurer and bookkeeper of the Pontiac Hospital Boutique. For 30 years she coordinated a government program helping seniors with transportation to dental or medical appointments. In addition, she has played a lifelong active role in her church. Mrs. Lunam works in the service of others, setting an example of sincerity, selflessness and genuine caring.Eleanor and Tom Mather, Kanata, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardEleanor and Tom Mather have devoted years to helping persons with mood disorders as well as their families. The Depression and Manic Depression Mutual Support Group they founded in 1986 now has 300 members in the National Capital Region. They have worked to eliminate social biases and misperceptions, and have advocated for more comprehensive mental health services. Mr. Mather helped the group incorporate and is still involved with committees to influence regional mental health reform. Mrs. Mather offers kindness and support to individuals and organizes many fundraisers and potluck suppers. Their own personal situation in facing these disorders has led them to dedicate their time and energy to support others living through the same experience.Anne and Jim McNeill, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor 25 years, Anne and Jim McNeill have provided affordable entertainment and a sense of community to many families in Ottawa. Sharing their love of cinema, Mr. and Mrs. McNeill have spent countless hours running the Ottawa Family Cinema. Shelters, youth organizations and needy citizens often receive donated tickets and the profits from the sale of other tickets are distributed to charitable organizations, schools and churches. Weekly attendance has grown from a small group of children to over 200 families. The McNeills' caring, compassion and selfless generosity have made them great role models and many children who attended the shows every Saturday are now part of the weekly group of 30 volunteers.Edna Muriel Sparkes, Beaverlodge, Alberta Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor many years, Edna Sparkes has given of her talents and caring personality to her community. She has played the organ for over 40 years for weddings, funerals and other special services and directs choir performances at local senior citizens' homes. She has also volunteered in numerous organizations. Her caring activities have included helping with a breakfast club and in the Salvation Army soup kitchen. Mrs. Sparkes visits with seniors, often taking residents on lunch excursions or transporting hospital patients to medical appointments. Everywhere she goes, Mrs. Sparkes makes residents feel appreciated, respected and valued. Alzheimer patients at McKenzie Place particularly benefit from her tireless patience and compassion.Richard W. F. Tasker, Ottawa, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor 25 years, Richard Tasker has gone far beyond his role as janitor of a condominium. He drives residents to hospital, drops off meals and accompanies those who need help on errands. He has befriended a number of elderly and isolated residents and supports them in time of grief. Over the past 10 years, he has forged a bond with a young autistic girl, and has volunteered his time to help her and to provide moral support to her mother. In addition, he has organized Christmas food drives for 15 years and has given daily care to friends dying of AIDS. His kindness, compassion and generous nature help ease the lives of those around him.Keith Watson, Kingston, Ontario Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardFor the last twelve years, Keith Watson has worked tirelessly to raise money for various charities to benefit children and youth in his city and his province. He developed the concept of an Ontario Provincial Police summer youth camp and both founded and chaired a fundraising drive to raise money for a scholarship in the name of a local murder victim. He coordinates the International Law Enforcement Seminar, from which proceeds are distributed to the OPP Kids Summer Camp, the Military Blind Children's Fund and the Children's Cancer Clinic at Kingston General Hospital, among others. Mr. Watson has touched many lives and made his community a better place to live.Master Warrant Officer Marilyn B. White, Lourdes, Newfoundland Governor General's Caring Canadian AwardMaster Warrant Officer Marilyn White has always volunteered in the military communities to which she has belonged. She played a key role in establishing the Military Family Resource Centre in Thunder Bay, which provides support services and programs to military families. She organized military spouses into focus and interest groups and prepared detailed documentation and follow-up proposals that led to the establishment of the Centre. She oversaw the development of programs and services, including a day care. Her career has always included voluntarism, and her inspiring leadership, untiring efforts and genuine concern for others were major factors in the success of many initiatives that have benefited military families.
