Sovereign Medal Award Winners

Nilouffer Rummana Virji, Eric W.K. Tam, Angie Ng and Julie Mahfouz Rezvani were awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by Mayor Dave Barrow. The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country in a wide range of fields. As an official Canadian honour, the Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2016. The Medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers. Nilouffer Rummana Virji is the co-coordinator of the Crescent Valley food bank. Nilouffer leads volunteers, reaches out to clients and delivers food to those in need. Her work has brought the community closer together by rallying her neighbours to help others while effectively providing food security to those in the greatest need. Eric Tam volunteers with 11th Toronto Scout Group, which he helped found in 1990. In addition to his work as assistant rover advisor and as deputy council commissioner of Recognition, he has been instrumental in the development of Chinese-language leader development courses. Angie Ng has been mentoring and instructing youth through the 3rd Unionville Scout Group for the past 10 years. She encourages them to attain their goals and become better citizens in the community. Julie Mahfouz Rezvani is the catalyst behind The Clothing Drive, a grassroots initiative that distributes clothing to Syrian refugees who have resettled in the Greater Toronto Area. An expert at logistics, she has been instrumental in the success of the storefront location, which has welcomed thousands of refugees since its opening. For more information, contact Mayor Dave Barrow at 905-771-2493.

2018 Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers Award 

Hayden Cheung was congratulated by Mayor Dave Barrow and members of Council for receiving the 2018 Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers Award. This award is the highest recognition a young person can achieve for outstanding volunteer contributions to the province. The Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers is awarded to youth aged 15 to 24 who have volunteered for a large amount of time with a charity, not-for-profit organization or person, and who have inspired other young people to volunteer. Hayden is the founder of Youth Nation Alliance, an organization that connects youth across the Greater Toronto Area with organizations that need volunteers. He has spent more than 1,800 hours volunteering and has also pioneered a program connecting young newcomers with older students who help them adjust to life in Canada. Hayden was one of 10 remarkable young recipients of this award. For more information, contact Mayor Dave Barrow at 905-771-2493. 

Richmond Hill’s Youth Action Committee Plans for Youth Week 

Richmond Hill’s Youth Action Committee (YAC) is comprised of residents in grades six to 12 who provide staff and Council with advice and input on programs and services for youth in the community. Sophia Hou, YAC Co-Chair and Core Member, and Cassidy Mark, YAC Core Member, delivered a presentation to Council outlining their recent YAC events and their upcoming activities for Youth Week. They highlighted Hill After Dark, YAC’s annual youth arts showcase and activities such as recreation and art, dance, civic engagement and volunteerism. For Youth Week, May 1 to May 7, 2018, YAC are planning for a variety of events to meet the varied interests of youth. Activities include a DJ workshop, baking activities, a computer workshop, drop-in basketball and badminton, park clean up at the Eyer Wideman house, YAC information sessions and the annual Race Around the Hill (RATH) event. This year, YAC is partnering with Children’s Treatment Network to include a wheelchair basketball drop-in. For more information, contact Lauren Steckley, Manager of Recreation Programs, at 905-787-1441, ext. 224.

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 7, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Monday, May 14, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.