Caring Canadian Award - 10th Anniversary

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Adrienne Clarkson presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 22 recipients at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Monday, April 18, 2005. The presentation took place during the National Volunteer Week, being held from April 17 to 23, 2005.

Cody Welsh Clark, Kemptville, Ontario

Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

At the age of 10, Cody Clark knows first-hand what it is like to be hospitalized or to see a loved one dealing with grave illness. His response has been to help others in such a situation, and the help he has given is remarkable. He raises thousands of dollars each year for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and other charities. He collected over 2 500 signatures of Ottawa schoolchildren for a petition opposing the closure of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario's cardiac unit. He has developed "Cody's Individual Comfort Kits" to ease the hospital experience for children or for seniors without families to care for them. Cody's wish is to distribute such kits to all children's hospitals across Canada.

Adrienne Clarkson presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 22 recipients at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Monday, April 18, 2005. The presentation took place during the National Volunteer Week, being held from April 17 to 23, 2005.

Adrienne Clarkson presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 22 recipients at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Monday, April 18, 2005. The presentation took place during the National Volunteer Week, being held from April 17 to 23, 2005.

Adrienne Clarkson presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to 22 recipients at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Monday, April 18, 2005. The presentation took place during the National Volunteer Week, being held from April 17 to 23, 2005.

Her Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Ms. Shelagh Wynn Gourlay at a ceremony held in Victoria, British Columbia, on March 8, 2006.

Shelagh Wynn Gourlay, Cedar, British Columbia

Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Shelagh Gourlay’s exceptional leadership and dedication have changed the face of the small community of Cedar and the lives of its residents. In less than 10 years, she founded the Cedar School and Community Enhancement Society and has been instrumental in the opening of a local RCMP police station, the Cedar Community High School, and the much needed social gathering place, the Cedar Heritage Centre. In addition, Ms. Gourlay has responded to the lack of opportunities for youth by starting a drop-in centre for teens and an affordable children’s summer program.

Her Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Mr. Garth Harvey at a ceremony held in Victoria, British Columbia, on March 8, 2006.

Garth Harvey, Mill Bay, British Columbia

Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Garth Harvey wholeheartedly believes in his community. He spearheaded the building of the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre, as well as its museum and library. He was instrumental in the planning and development of community parks and beaches and in the renovations of the Maxwell International Bahá’í School. He created the Community Crier, a newspaper that reaches out to the town’s newcomers. Having experienced first-hand the demanding role of a caregiver and the lack of assistance, Mr. Harvey helped establish several caregivers support groups and founded the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society where he continues to be an empathetic counsellor.

Her Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Ms. Fay Bland at a ceremony held in Montreal, Quebec, on April 13, 2006.

Fay Bland, Montreal, Quebec

Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

For more than 50 years, the efforts and achievements of Fay Bland have enabled scores of developmentally disabled children and young adults to lead challenging and autonomous lives in the community. A natural leader, Mrs. Bland founded the Lakeshore Association for Retarded Citizens and the Lakeshore Vocational Projects Association (LVPA), which have given hope to many families. Mrs. Bland spearheaded AVATIL (Apprentissage à la vie autonome/Towards Independent Living) and inspired the establishment of Comitas, a program for the disabled population aged over 40. She has also served as an executive on many boards to further develop community services for those with intellectual disabilities.

Her Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Marion Grandin and William Grandin at a ceremony held in Montreal, Quebec, on April 13, 2006.

Marion Grandin and William Grandin, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec

Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Determined to improve the quality of life for children born with Down syndrome, Marion and William Grandin spearheaded the first annual Outdoor Art Show to develop the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH). Created in 1959, it is now the largest outdoor exhibition fundraising event in Canada. The Grandins also helped establish the John F. Kennedy School for children requiring special education. They were also instrumental in creating a workshop for people with intellectual disabilities and solicited the support of West Island businesses to hire and train adults with learning disabilities. Mrs. Grandin has volunteered her time to the Lakeshore General Hospital since 1978 and continues to organize fundraisers with her husband for the projects dear to them. Their commitment has had an exceptional impact on the lives of many intellectually challenged children, young adults and their families across the province of Quebec.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Announcement of the name and symbol of the Governor General's NEW Caring Canadian Award by His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall.

Her Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Anthony Shorgan and Lucy Shorgan at a ceremony held in Montreal, Quebec, on April 13, 2006

Anthony Shorgan and Lucy Shorgan, Montreal, Quebec

Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

The first child to be registered with the Quebec Society for Disabled Children, Anthony Shorgan has devoted his life to improving the quality of life of physically challenged children. Lucy Shorgan has supported her husband in his endeavours and, for more than two decades, spent every summer in a rustic cabin at Camp Papillon, a holiday centre for children with disabilities, which her husband directed. She managed the facilities, welcomed the guests and organized every celebration. Upon Mr. Shorgan’s retirement, the couple spent the next 20 years promoting the camp through fundraising campaigns. Today, Camp Papillon is one of the largest camps for disabled children in North America.