• Awarded on: August 24, 2012

Charles (Chuck) Vernelli
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Chuck Vernelli has been involved with the Sault Ste. Marie Military Family Support Group ever since his son was killed while deployed in Afghanistan. Since that time, he has never refused a request for assistance, including driving to Toronto to participate in Highway of Heroes processions and putting up yellow ribbons in support of our troops. He has volunteered on committees for two golf tournaments: Red Friday Golf Fun Day and Algoma Family Services' Golf for Kids. A retired teacher, he has also been active in planning and raising funds for a new playground-which will be named after his son-and has established an annual bursary for the most outstanding grade 8 student at Queen Elizabeth Public School.