• Awarded on: November 16, 2005

Marion Grandin and William Grandin, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

Determined to improve the quality of life for children born with Down syndrome, Marion and William Grandin spearheaded the first annual Outdoor Art Show to develop the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH). Created in 1959, it is now the largest outdoor exhibition fundraising event in Canada. The Grandins also helped establish the John F. Kennedy School for children requiring special education. They were also instrumental in creating a workshop for people with intellectual disabilities and solicited the support of West Island businesses to hire and train adults with learning disabilities. Mrs. Grandin has volunteered her time to the Lakeshore General Hospital since 1978 and continues to organize fundraisers with her husband for the projects dear to them. Their commitment has had an exceptional impact on the lives of many intellectually challenged children, young adults and their families across the province of Quebec.