Visit to Toronto - Day 1

The organization uses powerful messaging integrated with urban art forms to engage students and ultimately inspire them to find their voice among their peers and their community when dealing with such issues as bullying, violence, school life, culture and relationships.

UNITY Charity is an organization that empowers youth to be role models and leaders in their communities through after-school programs in breakdancing, graffiti art, spoken word poetry and beat boxing.

Manuel Da Costa is the president of Viana Roofing and has volunteered with Famous PEOPLE Players for the past five years, helping with the upkeep and maintenance of the facility. He has contributed extensively to Toronto’s Portuguese community as the founder of the Camões House for the Aged and co-founder of the Gallery of the Portuguese Pioneers, a museum that preserves the stories of early Portuguese immigrants. Mr. Da Costa also created the Portuguese-Canadian Walk of Fame, to recognize those who have enhanced Portuguese culture in Canada.

Aldo Boccia, a dentist, has been volunteering with Famous PEOPLE Players for 30 years, providing dentistry services pro-bono and helping with fundraising events. In the wider community, he also gives his time in support of such organizations as the Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Toronto Rotary Club, the Downs Syndrome Society of Toronto, and the Canadian Cancer Society. He volunteers at his church and has run local baseball and hockey clubs.

Patrick Anderson, a lawyer by profession, has volunteered with and served on the board of Famous PEOPLE Players since 1987. He has raised funds to support people with developmental and physical disabilities, and has volunteered his time and legal services on all matters pertaining to the organization including its international tours. Mr. Anderson also volunteers in the community, at his church and for the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Canada.

Following the performance, His Excellency spoke briefly and presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to individuals from the Famous PEOPLE Players theatre company.

That evening, Their Excellencies attended a unique black light theatrical performance that pays tribute to the music and artistry of famous people by combining music and life-size characters.

During the event, His Excellency, who penned the foreword for the book, addressed the audience.

Later that afternoon, Their Excellencies attended an official book launch hosted by Their Honours the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley. Edited by D. Michael Jackson and Philippe Lagassé (pictured, right), Canada and the Crown: Essays on Constitutional Monarchy assesses the historical and contemporary importance of constitutional monarchy in Canada.

On the first day of Their Excellencies' visit to Toronto, Her Excellency Sharon Johnston met with youth enrolled in the UNITY arts programs and learned how UNITY impacts their lives.

Participants shared their life stories through interpretive performances of breakdancing and spoken word poetry.

Susan Gow has been a volunteer with Famous PEOPLE Players since 1997. She recruits volunteers, helps set stages while on tour, cares for the company members and mans the concession stand. From running to the hardware store for supplies to fix a broken prop, to looking after a performer who has fallen ill, she is there. In her community of Brampton, she volunteers at the Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre, the Rose Theatre, and the Brampton Arts Council.