Ottawa – Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will take part in two events in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. His Excellency will deliver the opening remarks of UNICEF Canada’s Champions Lab: An Observatory for Canada’s Children, and will attend the launch of the Kitchener-Waterloo Smart & Caring Community Grants Program.
Here is the detailed itinerary for the visit:
Kitchener
2 p.m.
Champions Lab: An Observatory for Canada’s Children
The Governor General will deliver the opening remarks at the Champions Lab: An Observatory for Canada’s Children, a round table organized by UNICEF Canada. His Excellency will talk about the connection between the well-being of children and the overall success of a society.
Throughout 2014–the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child–UNICEF Canada has been bringing together agents of change to engage in a conversation about making childhood in Canada the best it can be.
Closed to media
Waterloo
4:30 p.m.
Launch of the Kitchener-Waterloo Smart & Caring Community Grants Program
Aspatron of Community Foundations of Canada, His Excellency will deliver a speech on the occasion of the launch of the Kitchener-Waterloo Smart & Caring Community Grants Program. He will also present 13 Caring Canadian Awards to deserving volunteers from Kitchener, Waterloo and the surrounding area. The names of the recipients and their citations are listed below.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Smart & Caring Community Grants Program will support initiatives focused on sustaining and improving the quality of life in the region. For more information on the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, please visit www.kwcf.ca.
Leading up to 2017, Canada’s 191 community foundations are answering the Governor General’s call to service by focusing on key local priorities under the banner of building Smart & Caring Communities. Community foundations across the country are establishing special Smart & Caring Community Funds and distributing community grants in honour of Canada's 150th anniversary with the goal of making their communities smarter and even more caring places. For more information about the Community foundations of Canada, please visit www.communityfoundations.ca.
Bingemans, Embassy Room, 425 Bingemans Centre Drive
Open to media
Susan Dalrymple
Midland, Ontario
Since 2001, Susan Dalrymple has participated in various volunteer projects in the North Simcoe area to help low-income families raise their quality of life. She managed the annual One Warm Coat campaign for the Salvation Army for many years, encouraging the whole community to get involved.
Amanda Dennison
Kitchener, Ontario
One of the young leaders in her region, Mandy Dennison has dedicated herself and her personal hours to building community. She is a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo YWCA’s board of directors and has served on the leadership council of the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation’s Engage!KW Program. The skills she brings to her volunteer work have inspired other youth and benefited the wider community.
Jim Erb
Waterloo, Ontario
Jim Erb has volunteered with a number of organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, and the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation’s board of directors. His work as a Rotarian over the last 30 years has led to the success of such projects as the Annual Turkey Drive and the Rotary Dream Home.
Mike Farwell
Kitchener, Ontario
Mike Farwell has continued his family’s legacy of volunteerism. Committed to such groups as the Kitchener Public Library, the Literacy Board Group and the Reading Buddies program, he encourages literacy among all age groups. In addition, he dedicates his time to helping with public relations for Oktoberfest and the Cystic Fibrosis campaign. He is the honorary chair of the annual Waterloo-Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival.
Roger Farwell
Waterloo, Ontario
Roger Farwell has dedicated his time to protecting the integrity of health care projects and finding long-term solutions to related issues. He has served with the Prosperity Council–Health Care Task Force, the Waterloo Regional Police Children’s Safety Village, the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Timothy Jackson
Waterloo, Ontario
Timothy Jackson is a graduate of the University of Waterloo who serves on its board of governors and who has taken a lead role in promoting co-operative education and the university's fundraising efforts. He has made vast contributions to the community through Present Centre in the Square, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, the Waterloo Regional Children’s Museum Board, the Waterloo Public Library, Founder of Capacity Canada, Prosperity Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the BarnRaisers Council.
Al Green
London, Ontario
Over the last 40 years, Al Green has contributed to no less than 18 organizations in the London community, supporting endeavours in the arts, health care, capacity building, sports, television and disaster relief. Among the beneficiaries of his generosity and dedication are the Grand Theatre; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of London and Area; the Children’s Health Foundation; London Majors Baseball; the Prostate Cancer Centre; Pillar Nonprofit Network; and VON Elgin Middlesex.
Kelly Lovell
Waterloo, Ontario
Kelly Lovell is a youth motivational coach who invests her time to empower individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. Her passion for volunteerism is well known in the community, as is her work in mobilizing large teams of volunteers and promoting the power of volunteerism.
Zigmund Misiak
Brantford, Ontario
Zigmund Misiak is passionate about Canadian history and culture. He participated in the planning of the Brantford Sesquicentennial in 1997, and has served as the chairman of the Brantford War of 1812 Bicentennial Steering Committee since its creation in late 2007. In addition, he served as a board member of the Pine Tree Native Centre of Brant and advocated for the erection of a monument to the Polish Veterans of Brantford. He co-developed a DVD that featured interviews with Six Nations veterans, which he subsequently distributed free-of-charge to 164 schools on and off the Six Nations Territory.
John Panabaker
Waterloo, Ontario
John Panabaker believes in giving back to his community. An active 90-year-old, he is not afraid to stand up and to be a part of something that will make a difference. He has been involved with the Toronto School of Theology, the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, the Freeport Hospital, the Waterloo Public Library Board, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra Association.
Debora Lynne Ritchie
Waterloo, Ontario
Debora Ritchie’s volunteer work is varied and touches many within her community. She founded the Small Business Centre’s Inspiring Women Conference, which promotes and celebrates women in the Waterloo Region. She is also the creator of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation’s Random Acts of Kindness Day. This event encourages people in the Waterloo region and across the country to show kindness to others in the community. Additionally, she has volunteered with many local organizations including the United Way, the Rick Hansen Foundation, the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and Habitat for Humanity.
Rosemary Smith
Waterloo, Ontario
Rosemary Smith grew up with a strong sense of community. She has sat on numerous boards and committees including the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge Chambers of Commerce, the Kitchener-Waterloo YWCA Board, the Steering Committee for the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, and the leadership round table for Opportunities Waterloo Region. A mentor, coach, connector and teacher, she is genuinely interested in the well-being of others. From business and career advice to employment and financial guidance, she gives generously of her time and of herself.
Gezahgn Wordofa
Stratford, Ontario
Gezahgn Wordofa is an active volunteer in his community. A Stratford Rotarian, he is a member of the Stratford Area Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army, the House of Blessing, SAWA, and the United Way. He is the founder of the Multicultural Association of Perth-Huron, through which he helps newcomers settle in to their new lives and in the community. He has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross since 2011, and delivers a workshop about Children Affected by War, where he addresses audiences on such issues as child soldiers. Before arriving in Canada, he was a Goodwill World Peace Ambassador for 10 years. He continues to support international initiatives and programs relating to refugees and the homeless in Russia, and actively raises funds for health clinics, schools and clean water for small communities in Ethiopia.
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Please note that both the Governor General’s remarks and speech will be posted online at www.gg.ca.
