Caring Canadian Award Presentation Ceremony

Created in 1995, the Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad. Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens. The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character.

The Governor General presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to 49 volunteers from various sectors of society during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. This event marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Caring Canadian Award and was part of His Excellency’s program to highlight National Volunteer Week, from April 12 to 18, 2015.

Aklilu Afowerk (Ottawa, Ontario) has been volunteering in the Ottawa community for over 20 years, looking after the well-being of the elderly and infirm. For example, he regularly drives a gentleman with a heart condition to visit his wife in a chronic care facility, and, at his synagogue, he helps a congregant with ALS participate in the service.

Mark Beardsworth (Toronto, Ontario) is an active member of The Beach Group, a Toronto-based unit involved in contributing to, sponsoring and supporting local charitable initiatives. Mark is involved in all organizational aspects of the annual fundraiser for the Hospital for Sick Children/SickKids Foundation, from event planning and ticket sales to obtaining donations for the event.

For the past three years, Richard Gratton (Beaconsfield, Quebec) has been working to create a park that would honour the contributions and sacrifices made by past and present military personnel, law enforcement agents, firefighters, first responders and paramedics. With the support of the Beaconsfield community and a team of volunteers, he formed the non-profit and non-partisan Heroes Park committee. Under his leadership, and with the support of funding from individuals, businesses and corporations, as well as military, law enforcement and community leaders, the committee has raised $250,000 to bring the project to life.

Bushra Khan (Ottawa, Ontario) is dedicated to helping youth excel. She is a devoted member of the development committee behind the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Community of Character, which has since been adopted into the Board’s Code of Conduct Policy. For the past five years, Ms. Khan has been an energetic co-chair of the Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards, which funds over 80 scholarships and has raised over $60,000 for Youth Ottawa.

Seventeen-year-old Natasha Kornak (Calgary, Alberta) is a model of student leadership. She is an active volunteer with Ronald McDonald House, the Gay Straight Alliance, Mustard Seed, Kristen Lee Coutts Memorial, Bully Free Alberta, and Free the Children. Through her efforts, she is giving back to her community and encouraging others to do the same.

Chris Kulak (Vernon, British Columbia) is a volunteer with the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. His efforts and hard work over the years have advanced the fund’s visibility both locally and provincially, ensuring greater support for burn victims and survivors. He also volunteers with Muscular Dystrophy Canada, and has helped with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign and with operations at his local food bank.

Since 2008, Laurin and Ruby Trudel (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Lloydminster, Alberta) have been the driving force behind Food Rescue Yellowknife. Thanks to their vision, action and dedication, 1.6 million pounds of food and other items have been diverted from the landfill for processing and redistribution. They have created a model organization with minimal overhead and maximum benefit to the community of Yellowknife.