Volunteer Awards and Recognition
Muscular Dystrophy Canada accepting nominations for Regional and National Awards
Muscular Dystrophy Canada is now inviting all regions of Canada to begin their nomination process for regional volunteer awards for the period of April 1st, 2009 – March 31st, 2010. As a result of this process Muscular Dystrophy Canada will honour many exceptional volunteers at both the regional and the national levels.
Volunteers are very important to the success of Muscular Dystrophy Canada in delivering its mission. This year we are launching an improved and revamped Volunteer Awards and Recognition Program. Some of the highlights include:
• Changing of the nomination timeframe to be consistent with our fiscal year (April 1st – March 31st).
• Simplified and more user friendly nomination forms. There are only two, one for individuals, and one for groups.
• Renaming of the Dr. David Green Award to the Dr. David Green Founder’s Award.
To nominate an individual or group, please click on the appropriate link below to download a nomination form.
Presented to the Muscular Dystrophy Canada Chapter that has demonstrated excellence during the past year in any or all of the following areas: Fundraising, public relations, services, education, chapter development and advocacy work.
Presented to an individual with a neuromuscular disorder that has made an outstanding contribution to Muscular Dystrophy Canada in fundraising, public relations, services and/or advocacy work.
Presented to a Muscular Dystrophy Canada volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution during the past year in fundraising, public relations, services, and/or advocacy work.
Presented to a Fire Department that has demonstrated overall excellence throughout the past year, in fundraising, public relations, services and/or advocacy work.
Presented to a Fire Fighter who has demonstrated overall excellence throughout the past year, in areas of public awareness, education, fundraising, and volunteer recruitment.
Dr. David Green Founders Award
Presented to a scientist or researcher who has made a significant contribution to Muscular Dystrophy Canada in the past year in neuromuscular research or the advancement of care of people with neuromuscular disorders.
Corporate Partner of the Year Award
Presented to a business that has supported Muscular Dystrophy Canada during the past year through direct or indirect financial or human resource contributions
We are pleased to present the 2008-2009 award recipients:
The Michel Louvain Award
The Michel Louvain Award is presented to an individual with a neuromuscular disorder who has made an outstanding contribution to Muscular Dystrophy Canada in fundraising, public relations, services and/or advocacy work.
This year’s Michel Louvain Award Recipient is Keith Martin.
Keith learned he had a form of muscular dystrophy (Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy – FSHD for short) on October 5, 2005. In the past four years, Keith has gone on to show Canada and the world that having muscular dystrophy is tough but cannot dampen the human spirit. Keith organized and took part in a Pacific to Atlantic cycle with four friends, raising $150,000 along the way through a letter campaign. The ride is documented in the novel The Flying Five: The Odyssey of the Moving Muscles Ride. Keith has attended speaking engagements for Muscular Dystrophy Canada to share his inspiring story and provide hope to other Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders. Keith is currently enrolled in his final year of an Engineering Physics degree at UBC.
Keith’s commitment to Muscular Dystrophy Canada is evident in his selfless nature, strength of character and his leadership and desire to help others.
Congratulations Keith!
The Mary Ann Wickham Award
The Mary Ann Wickham Award is presented to a Muscular Dystrophy Canada volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution, during the past year, to fundraising, public relations, services, and/or advocacy work.
This year’s Mary Ann Wickham Award Recipient is Kelly Hyde-Wein.
In the past year Kelly has worn many hats in her dedication to Muscular Dystrophy Canada: fundraiser, special events planner, public speaker and even counselor. Kelly was responsible for organizing the hugely successful Elf Run in Calgary this past December. That same month Kelly also planned a very well attended Christmas party for the Calgary chapter. Kelly never shies away from the microphone at public events; she can often be heard at conferences, charity events and anywhere that the opportunity presents itself, bringing muscular dystrophy to the attention of the public and the media. Kelly, a former Calgary Chapter executive, also serves as a contact person for people newly diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder and those with a longer term diagnosis who are experiencing difficulties.
Kelly’s passion and unrelenting drive have been vital in increasing Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s profile in her community.
Congratulations Kelly!
The Chapter of the Year Award
The Chapter of the Year Award is presented to a Muscular Dystrophy Canada Chapter that has demonstrated excellence during the past year in any or all of the following areas: fundraising, public relations, services, education, chapter development and advocacy work.
This year’s Chapter of the Year Award goes to the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter is one of two chapters in the country that covers an entire province on its own. The geographic area that it looks after is about 10 times the size of other chapters, which creates challenges in engaging and supporting all clients in the area. To overcome these obstacles, this chapter has established themselves as an ‘eChapter’, communicating with clients via phone calls and emails. They’ve even gone so far as to set up an email database of clients/members in the area. This chapter supports two Walks for Muscular Dystrophy (on opposite sides of the province). The Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter fundraised over $13,000 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. That’s an increase of over $3,500 over the previous year’s revenue!
Congratulations members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter!
The Fire Fighter of the Year Award
The Fire Fighter of the Year Award is presented to the Fire Fighter that has demonstrated overall excellence throughout the past year, in fundraising, public relations, services and/or advocacy work.
This year’s Fire Fighter of the Year Award Recipient is Kenny Arsenault.
Kenny is a member of the Little Harbour Fire Department in Trenton, Nova Scotia and Vice President of the Sunrise Trail Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Kenny has spent countless hours assisting with the New Glasgow Walk for Muscular Dystrophy and organizing the Pictou County Boot Drive. He sold $2,240 worth of tickets for the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffle. Motivated by his son Daniel who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at age four, Kenny has made a point of promoting a partnership between Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Fire Fighters in the hopes of increasing the number of departments that raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Kenny and Daniel are currently the poster family for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Their picture and story are used in local, regional and national publications, posters and print materials produced by Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Congratulations Kenny!
The Fire Department of the Year Award
The Fire Department of the Year Award is presented to a Fire Department that has demonstrated overall excellence throughout the past year in fundraising, services and/or advocacy work.
This year’s Fire Department of the Year Award is presented to the St-Siméon Fire Department.
The St-Siméon Fire Department has fundraised over $70,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada in the past 10 years through their annual boot drive. Located in Saint-Siméon, a village of 1,200 people, the dedicated Fire Fighters of this department spend the first weekend of construction season by the busy Saint-Siméon – Rivière-du-Loup ferry dock with their boots collecting money. Their strategic location is always teeming with tourists and vacationers; in addition to raising funds they also raise awareness about neuromuscular disorders.
The St-Siméon Fire Department has shown their dedication to Muscular Dystrophy Canada year after year with their annual boot drive.
Congratulations members of the St-Siméon Fire Department!
Dr. David Green Award
The Dr. David Green Award is presented to a scientist or researcher who has made a significant contribution to Muscular Dystrophy Canada during the past year in the areas of neuromuscular research or the advancement of care of clients with neuromuscular diseases.
This year’s Dr. David Green Award recipient is Dr. William Douglas Biggar.
Dr. Biggar’s passionate interest and outstanding expertise in neuromuscular disorders improves the quality of life and care for children with musculoskeletal conditions. Dr. Biggar has travelled to India and Greece to share his knowledge with colleagues involved in the same work in the hope of the meaningful outcome that can come from collaboration with other professionals. Dr. Biggar and his team refer all children with neuromuscular disorders to Muscular Dystrophy Canada. He has also assessed many of Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s Ontario clients. Dr. Biggar never rushes his patients or the many students who seek his guidance; he is always willing to share his valuable knowledge.
Congratulations Dr. Biggar!
Corporate Partner of the Year Award
The Corporate Partner of the Year Award is presented to a business that has supported Muscular Dystrophy Canada during the past year through direct or indirect financial or human resource contributions. This year, we are honoured to have two recipients, Canada Safeway and Desjardins Group.
Together with their customers and the Canada Safeway Foundation, Canada Safeway donated over $1.28 million to Muscular Dystrophy Canada in 2008. The money was raised during their month-long Make Muscles Move campaign. Each of their 223 stores in Western Canada and Northern Ontario participated by selling coupon books and hosting special in-store fundraising events. The funds provided much needed funding for the Neuromuscular Research Partnership and enabled 40 families to purchase essential equipment and assistive devices through the newly created “Safeway Mobility Grant” program. In one year, Canada Safeway has contributed more than any corporate donor in the organization’s history.
Congratulations Canada Safeway!
Since 2003, Desjardins Group has been a partner in various events organized by the Québec Office of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Desjardins Group has played a pivotal role as a member of the organizing committee for the Québec City Gala and the Great Show for Muscular Dystrophy, held each year in Montreal. In 2008, Desjardins Group expanded it involvement to include all of the province of Québec’s Walks for Muscular Dystrophy. Under the leadership of Mr. Éric Lemieux, Vice-President, Asset Management Services at Desjardins Group, the 2006 Québec City Gala doubled its fundraising from $62,000 in 2005 to $124,000 in 2006!
Congratulation Desjardins Group!
