Awarded on: 2003-12-04
Helen K. Y. Cheung, Edmonton, Alberta
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Despite career and family responsibilities, Helen Cheung finds time to devote some 20 hours per week to community service. Since 1982, she has been an active volunteer, promoting multiculturalism and providing care to seniors and new Canadians. She has headed several Chinese organizations, where she has focused on meeting the needs of women and involving them in their community. Her enthusiasm and leadership qualities inspired a number of women to form a singing group that performs at public events and for seniors as a way of providing companionship and entertainment. Her example has been widely followed, and she has supported charitable projects, benefiting not only the Chinese community but also the people of Edmonton at large.