Fisch among residents honoured for character

Newmarket Era
May 2, 2014
By Chris Traber

York Region chairperson and CEO Bill Fisch was named the 2014 Character Champion Award at the 8th Annual Character Community Awards Wednesday.

Hosted by the Character Community Foundation of York Region at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, the event recognized more than 155 nominated York Region residents and organizations for demonstrating exemplary character and contribution to the quality of life of others, foundation executive director Karen Addison said.

Mr. Fisch, who is retiring later this year after his fifth consecutive term as the region’s political lead, was recognized for his outstanding work championing the Character Community movement in York Region and for his years of dedicated public service.

Cited a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of bringing people and organizations together to address important community needs, he was lauded for “his vast political experience and uncanny ability to give all opinions equal consideration,” Ms Addison said.

“While increasing service delivery levels, Mr. Fisch continues to enhance the Region’s position as one of the best places in Ontario to live, work, play and visit,” she said.

The Community Hero Award was presented to Colten and Luke Rybuck, teenage brothers who came to the assistance of a senior trapped in a burning Richmond Hill house in the fall of 2013. This award is presented to an individual or group that has demonstrated character in overcoming a difficult situation.

Returning home from shopping, the brothers heard a fire alarm at a house near Yonge and King Streets.

After approaching the front door, Colten called 911 while Luke kicked open the door. Inside, he was forced back three times by thick, black smoke.

“I kicked it in and kept going back and forth in the house, but there was too much smoke,” he said.

When fire crews arrived just after 1 a.m., they rescued the 70-year-old, who was taken to hospital, where he was treated for smoke inhalation.

Richmond Hill Fire Chief Steve Kraft was delighted that two citizens stepped in to help out a fellow resident.

“I think it’s amazing,” Chief Kraft said. “While we never want people to get injured, our natural instinct is to assist somebody. They did what they could and then they realized it was too dangerous and they didn’t go any further.”

The two boys, students at Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in Aurora were also taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation.

The following Character Awards were presented Wednesday:

Lily Edmunds - Newmarket, Citizens of Character - Elementary

Eleven-year old Lily Edmunds is a Grade 6 student at Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School.  An avid runner, Lily has participated in more than 14 local 5K runs and raised over $600 between July and December 2013. When she isn’t racing for those in need, she is a contributor to the National Post in the Each Coach section dishing out advice to runners who ask.

An accomplished athlete, she placed second overall at the Niagara Falls International Marathon 2K run, placed second over 270 adults and a hand full of teens at the recent Newmarket Santa Shuffle and came home with a gold medal as she was the first female to cross the line.

She has dreams of competing in the Olympics one day and raising funds for charity along the way.

At school, she spends most of her free time working and playing with the children from the special needs class.

“She is constantly thinking of others, and how she can do more to make others happy just like her,” her nominator said.

Brennan Wong - Richmond Hill, Citizens of Character - Secondary

Brennan has completed over 2,600 volunteer hours serving local and international communities and raised more than $75,000 to help young people, seniors, families and the disadvantaged.

The Grade 11 Richmond Hill High School student believes in the spirit of “helping youth help others” and has launched several projects to lead by example. Strength in Numbers is a social activism program to support projects in developing countries. Travel for Hope Fund is an annual grant program that awards assistance of $500 to ten youth who want to volunteer abroad. Pledges of Change is a youth run nonprofit that inspires people to offer one suggestion in support of a local or global issue, and act upon it in the future.

Brennan volunteers as a leader, ambassador, fundraiser and mentor for Free the Children, Me to We, the Town of Richmond Hill, Sunnybrooke, St. John’s Hospital and the Richmond Hill Food Bank. He has also organized Richmond Hill’s “Future Leaders in YACtion” Leadership Conference for the past two years.

He was applauded for his commitment to his causes and resourcefulness and problem solving has set him apart as someone who believes in youth empowerment to create positive changes in his community.

Shawn Avery - Georgina, Citizens of Character - Young Adult

“A wonderful person to be around, he is optimistic, willing to learn and supports others whenever he can,” read Shawn’s nomination. “He is a true example of courage and has a good sense of who he is which makes him a great role model for others who face similar circumstances.”

An active member of YOUTHSPEAK Performance by sharing his personal story of bullying and living with Asperger’s, he speaks honestly about his experiences during elementary and high school and encourages students to ask for help.

Shawn volunteers at New Leaf residential centre working with dual-diagnosed adults, has volunteered with a youth group at the YMCA and acts as an eco-mentor which involves speaking to grades 3-5 about being environmentally friendly. He also participated in programs at the Sandgate shelter.

“He encourages students to include others and accept differences and shows compassion to those who seek him out at his presentations,” said his nominator.

Elizabeth Leung - Markham, Citizens of Character - Adult

Elizabeth has been a committed member of the Donald Cousens Public School community since it opened in 2008. For the past 12 years, she has volunteered on a daily basis and supports the school library, attends school events, provides transportation support and knows nearly every child in the school by name.

“Elizabeth treats her role as a volunteer as a job and she ensures her tasks are well done and cares about the space and the people she interacts with,” her nomination read. “She acts as a translator when needed and students often come to her to get clarification when learning new things.”

She was cited as a positive and compassionate person who will go out of her way to share information about community events, cooks wonderful dishes for staff luncheons and bring her own adult children in to share their skills and talents with the school.

Elizabeth is also actively involved in the local community and supports a variety of Markham initiatives and events.

Margaret McCleary - Thornhill, Citizens of Character - Senior

“Margaret has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know and shares her generosity with youth, adults and seniors alike,” said her nominator. “She demonstrates compassion, initiative and fairness to all the while coping with severe arthritis that has her using a walker and canes to get around.”

A retired Children’s Aid care worker for almost three decades, Margaret’s passion to help others is next to none, the full house heard. One of her favorite ways to help others is through her gardening. She volunteers at three garden plots to grow vegetables for seniors on fixed incomes through Seeds for Change. She also plants vegetables at Thornhill United Church and delivers produce to local needy residents and is known as “The Veggie Lady”. As well she encourages and assists seniors to grow planter gardens on their balconies.

At Christmas, she creates treat bags for stockings, buys gifts for low income and single parent families including wrapping paper and gift cards so the parents can make these gifts their own. She volunteers twice a month with the Dog Drill team and helps to take a variety of dogs to senior’s homes to entertain them.

Margaret helps The Salvation Army’s Back to School Book Bag program, she worked with the Welcome Centre in Newmarket to help newcomers with their first Christmas in Canada, collected produce from the Round the Bend Farm and donated it to the Inn from the Cold program and she prepared Easter Baskets for the Blue Door Shelter Family and Teen Centre.

“Her largeness for the York Region community knows no bounds,” read her nomination.

James Robinson Public School - Markham, School of Character - York Region District School Board

Deemed a small school with a big heart and unbelievable energy and passion, James Robinson Public School was honoured for a staff of committed, dedicated and empathetic individuals who form a team of excellence and strong character.

The school embraces exceptionalities and works together to create a welcoming, safe and engaging learning environment for all, nominators said. Teachers and staff go above and beyond all expectations to support student’s wellbeing and respond to the students with compassion, dedication and respect, attendees heard.

“The staff has worked hard to create a fully accessible outdoor classroom, 180 meters of accessible learning trail, a fully accessible outdoor stage, shade garden, food and sensory gardens, the school’s nomination said. They created a one of a kind Satellite Summer Program, the Reverse Integrated

Multi-Exceptionalities Site, an initiative geared for students with developmental delays and complex needs. It features integration for able-bodied students who require more support in the areas of literacy and numeracy.

“To bring together such a huge project took tremendous amount of personal time, dedication, courage, responsibility and perseverance,” said presenters.

Our Lady of Good Counsel - Sharon, School of Character - York Catholic District School Board

The school is defined as the backbone of the community, nominators said.

“Its people are compassionate and courageous, honest and fair and the school provides great optimism through its numerous initiatives to help not only the students, but families in the school, and in the world. It is a school of character and character building, creating a culture of inclusion, respect, persistence and innovation.

“The school brings hope, serves well and celebrates the virtues of the Catholic faith in all its initiatives.”

The school’s anti-bullying initiatives focus on making respect a high priority in areas such as proper play, mentoring older students with younger ones and involving students in supporting kindergartens, the yearbook, recycling, and the incorporation of team play during free time.

The facility is in involved in many community initiatives such as the Terry Fox Run, Childhood Cancer Canada, Wigs for Kids to building schools in Kenya.

The school has adopted self-regulation as a focused approach in order to teach students how to be better decision makers, and to take greater responsibility for their actions.

As well, students are encouraged to act with fairness and in honest ways. They are reminded to be courageous and stand up for what they know is right and be the voice for the voiceless.

Kathleen Rodgers, Terry Romanelli and Suzanne Jovic - Vaughan, Educator of Character

Kathleen, Terry and Suzanne are amazing teachers who for several years have dedicated their lunches, recess and after school time to mentor and lead a large group of students in leadership and altruistic opportunities, the audience heard.

This Maple Creek Public School initiative promotes thinking about others and using student voice to make the world a better place and identifies ways to give back and bolster student self-confidence. The trio of educators have encouraged and supported students in leadership roles as they educate themselves and others on local, national and global issues.

Under their leadership various events have been spearheaded. These included adopting a child through World Vision, preparing school kits and raising funds for medical products to send to Haiti, organizing bake sales for Uganda’s Nightwalkers and to benefit victims of sexual abuse in India.

Each year they hold food, book and handcrafted item drives to support a variety of charitable initiatives including the We Stand Together-a Me To We initiative supporting the Aboriginal People in Canada and women’s shelters.

“All of these activities helped raise awareness for the students of Maple Creek and gave them opportunities to see how they could help others from all over the world,” presenters said.

Love of Dance Committee - Aurora, Character Through the Arts

Comprised of volunteer teachers, committee members volunteer their time and expertise every year to run a group dance showcase for students.

The group dance teams must create a dance that demonstrates one character attribute. In addition to creating a dance they discuss and demonstrate character attributes.

What began in 2009 with 155 students taking part has grown to a two day event of over 400 students.

The committee encourages student inclusiveness by encouraging both boys and girls to participate. Two students tell how they choose their attribute and how they learn to work together to pick the music and create the dance itself.

The committee has worked hard to keep this event going each year, to inspire students to keep dancing through sharing their own personal stories and providing feedback to the coaches and students.

They have also created the Virtue Award that is given at the end of each day to the team that demonstrates good character during their warm-up and performance.

Philip Horsman - Aurora, Character Through Sports

Mr. Horsman served children and teachers in York Region faithfully for more than thirty years as a teacher.

Now a ten year retiree, he services as York Region Elementary Athletic Association chairperson. In this capacity he oversees all teams and tournaments for sanctioned sports run by York Region District School Board staff.

Mr. Horsman has also coordinated the York Region Jump Rope for Heart programs for over 15 years, bringing enthusiasm and skill to children and adults alike. Under his direction and guidance the schools in the board raised more than $1 million for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

“Phil’s enthusiasm is best demonstrated as the organizer of the York Region District School Boards annual Special needs Track and Field Meet,” his nomination read. “This event provided an opportunity for students with autism, physical and developmental and mild intellectual disabilities to demonstrate their athletic abilities, and to experience competition in a supportive environment.”

He truly believes that the respect and learning that young people can gain from their involvement in sports are character traits that will carry and support them throughout their lives as they become caring and compassionate citizens in our community, the audience heard.

Dr. Judith Ann Ancheta - Markham, Business Person of Character

Dr. Ancheta is a kind and compassionate caregiver who deeply cares about her patients and takes the time to understand their needs, her nominators said.

“She has a very positive attitude, always smiling and cheerful and is very involved in the community volunteering her time, energy and resources,” heard the audience.

A naturopathic doctor, she strives to motivate, inspire and educate her patients and the community to achieve optimal health. Dr. Ancheta loves her profession and demonstrates attributes that contribute to a healthier York Region, one patient at a time. Integrating ancient wisdom with modern medicine, she embodies a true physician, providing humanistic care. Dr. Ancheta embodies the best qualities of not only a healthcare professional but that of a kind caring and compassionate individual, nominators said, adding that she strongly advocates for the wellbeing of her patients, empowering them to achieve their best quality of life.

On the Floor - Markham, Organization of Character - Profit

On The Floor is a newly formed company whose owners Mitchell Jackson and Lisa Hupe have made it their goal to make sure that they do as much as they can to give back to the community.

The enterprise strives to deliver a family-friendly experience where all the participants leave feeling motivated and inspired through dance competitions.

In addition to organizing opportunities for dancers, including the chance to win scholarships to prestigious dance institutions, the company works hard to be a good corporate citizen with cause-related fund-raising at each event.

In their first year they raised more that $30,000 for SickKids Hospital. They share their passion for dance with all the patients by coordinating autograph days and an annual On the Floor Teen Dance party at the hospital. The firm also takes part in the SickKids Summer Prom.

“It is amazing to see the dedication they have and how they have adapted the business they love to give back and to help make a difference,” their nomination read.

YMCA - York Region Employment and Community Services - Richmond Hill, Organization of Character - Not for Profit or Service Organization

The organization was cited for working daily with all the core values that the Character Community promotes. Compassion, optimism and courage where demonstrated while coping with two of their beloved colleagues being diagnosed with cancer.

When the staff learned that two colleagues where facing health challenges, they rallied around and collected money for medicine and for transportation costs to and from the hospital. They made food and ensured healthy groceries where available, and maintained daily contact with both colleagues.

They maintained a positive attitude and helped to buoy the spirits of the two going through treatments as well as looking after each other.

When one of these colleagues passed away in late September they collected donations to help with the funeral costs and at Christmas time delivered gifts to her three children. When the other colleague returned to work she expressed how grateful she was for their positive thoughts and energy as well as their ongoing care.

“Today, the staff is grateful for their cherished memories of the one and that they still get to work with the other each and every day,” nominators said.

Dale McClease - Vaughan, Change our World - Environmental

For the last 4 years, Dale has spearheaded the Maple Lions Club E-waste program throughout York Region, to ensure the safe and proper disposal of electronic waste and promote the reuse and refurbishment of working equipment that will be donated to families in need.

Dale constantly approaches businesses, offering to take their old computers and promote the reuse of good equipment. He also truly believes that responsible E-waste disposal is vital, nominators wrote.

Dale promotes public E-waste awareness events in Markham and Vaughan to encourage the public to dispose of their E-waste responsibly, and to raise funds for the Maple Lions Club. He is also a leader in organizing community events such as Maple Pancake Fest in April and Maplefest in August.

Melinda Garel - Keswick, Change our World - Community

The nomination for Melinda noted that she demonstrates a selfless life, giving and doing for others in whatever capacity she can in the school, local and global communities.

Melinda volunteers her time through the week to local churches and non-profit organizations and provides meals, clothing and financial assistance to marginalized neighbours.

“When she hears of families in need, she immediately comes to the aid with her time, her money and meeting any needs that she can,” the audience heard. “She recognizes what needs to be done and finds a way to go and get the job done and never sits back to wait for others to do something.”

She is training to become a minister to the sick to reach out to the elderly in nursing homes and residencies. She is also travelling on a mission trip to Guatemala with Water Ambassadors to dig wells and provide food and clothing to the poverty stricken.

Melinda is also a dedicated phys ed elementary teacher, who exemplifies exceptional character traits and is an inspiring role model for everyone she comes in contact with. She teaches students how to play fair and honestly, teaching them with integrity and to include all members of the class both in the gyand outside on the playground.

Recipients of the 2014 Donald Cousens Award included:

- Susan Boyne-Bird - Neighbourhood Network Ambassador - East Gwillimbury.

A retired York Region District School Board principal, Ms Boyne-Bird cares about the Southlake Regional Health Centre, Easter Seals and educational support.

“I believe in volunteering for all ages, reasons and seasons,” she said.

- Tim Jones - Neighbourhood Network Ambassador - Aurora

The former town councilor and Aurora Mayor is passionate about the York Region Character Community Council where he is founding co-chairperson, CHATS- Community & Home Assistance to Seniors and the York Region Food Network.

“Volunteering is one of the best ways to serve your community and benefit yourself in the process,” he said.

- Tom Taylor - Neighbourhood Network Ambassador - Newmarket

The former town councilor and Newmarket Mayor supports INN From the Cold Homeless Shelter where he a founding member and treasurer, York Region Habitat for Humanity as a founding director and president and the Newmarket-Aurora District Association for Community Living where he serves as a director and longtime supporter.

The mandate of the Character Community Foundation is to raise awareness of and educate the public, private, and non-profit sectors about character development.

The character message speaks to everyone of all backgrounds, faiths, and cultures.

A Character Community is one in which members of the community work together to nurture positive character attributes. It requires a shift in thinking to a focus on ethical attitudes and behaviours that lead to achievement and success.

The foundation is based on the 11 character attributes: compassion, courage, fairness, honesty, inclusiveness, initiative, integrity, optimism, perseverance, respect and responsibility

Good character makes a difference in our families, schools, businesses, and neighbourhoods by strengthening our relationships, building stronger communities, and engaging all of us in positive change and citizen engagement, Ms Addison said.

For more information, visit charactercommunity.com.