Community Foundation of Ottawa 25th Anniversary

Photo of His Excellency with the six recipients of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award.

Following the presentation, His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, said a few words.

His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Scott Wilson. Good governance and effective financial management lie at the heart of responsible giving. Since 2003, Scott Wilson has given his time and talent in support of the governance of the Community Foundation of Ottawa. The results have been widely felt within the community by the many organizations that have received sustained and predictable support for their work. Mr. Wilson is also active in other spheres; he is one of the founders of Joe’s Team, a triathlon fundraiser for Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, and he has served on the national board of the Canadian Cancer Society.

His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to David Wallace. David Wallace has shown tireless commitment to improving the quality of life of Ottawa’s youth. He is a strong supporter of the Snowsuit Fund, the CHEO Teddy Bear Picnic and the Children’s Aid Society’s Champions for Children Foundation, to name but a few. But he is perhaps best known as the co-founder of the Viennese Winter Ball, one of our city’s most important charity galas, the organizing committee of which he chaired for 10 years. In this role and in many others, he has given generous and tireless service to the Ottawa community.

His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Roxanne Desmarais. From the time she was nine years old, Roxanne Desmarais has shown extraordinary compassion for her classmates. Seeing that some of them were going to school hungry, she decided to take action and began buying them food with her own money. Roxanne’s efforts inspired her school, the school board and local businesses to take part in the project. Roxanne’s foundation now helps 24 schools and provides more than 350 meals each month.

His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Sylvia Cuhaci. Sylvia Cuhaci is a staunch advocate for those suffering from mental illness. Through her long involvement with Project Upstream, she has done everything from answering the after-hours crisis line to serving as president of its board of directors. Thanks to her support, young people have had help through the difficult transition to adulthood, and families have been given hope for the future.

In the presence of His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Peter Cleveland (centre). A strong hospital requires strong support from its community, and this is what Peter Cleveland has helped to create. As co-president of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, he is credited with inspiring a team of volunteers and providing leadership to the foundation’s Legacy Campaign, to secure funds for health care and research. He has also been engaged more broadly within the Ottawa community, notably with United Way/Centraide Ottawa-Carleton and the Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital Foundation.

As patron of Community Foundations of Canada, His Excellency delivered the keynote address on the important role philanthropy and community foundations play in building smart and caring communities. He also acknowledged the positive impact CFO has had on improving the quality of life for thousands of citizens in the Ottawa area.

Propeler dance groupe performed in front of guests.

His Excellency presented the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award to Dovat Batotele Mutimbutimbu. From the moment he arrived in Canada, Dovat Batotele Mutimbutimbu has been devoted to his community. At the Université de Sherbrooke (Québec), he established a local branch of the World University Service of Canada, a Canadian network of individuals and post-secondary educational institutions that is dedicated to promoting human development and global understanding through education. Through this organization, he has coordinated numerous awareness campaigns on poverty, refugees and social development. He is also involved in the sub-Saharan African community, notably acting as an interpreter for new Canadians.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, attended a special event marking the 25th anniversary of the Community Foundation of Ottawa (CFO) at the Ottawa Convention Centre on November 19, 2012. Upon his arrival, the Governor General was greeted by Brian Toller, CFO Chair (left), and Brian Wilson, past CFO Chair (center).