A Newmarket automotive group CEO who believes strong communities make strong businesses, and a Newmarket hockey coach and mentor who has volunteered for more than three decades are among 16 recipients to be honoured in this year's Portraits of Giving.
Michael Croxon, president and CEO of NewRoads Automotive Group, and Kirk Kelly, retired Newmarket Minor Hockey Association (NMHA) coach, coach mentor and hockey development lead will be honoured at the 10th Anniversary Portraits of Giving opening reception Thursday, April 11 at presenting sponsor Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill.
Portraits of Giving annually celebrates individuals from across nine municipalities in York Region who exemplify the importance of corporate and social responsibility, founder Karen Merk said.
"For the past 10 years, Portraits of Giving has been creating awareness and inspiring communities across York Region about the importance of social responsibility, while inspiring others to keep on giving,” she said.
Nominated by the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, Croxon has led the growth of NewRoads from a two-car showroom in 1968 founded by his father, Noel, to a five-dealership strong automotive group today with showrooms featuring GM, Subaru, Mazda and Chrysler vehicles, headquartered on Yonge Street in Newmarket.
The Croxon and NewRoads family has built a legacy of giving back to the community.
At the firm's 50th anniversary celebration last December, York Regional Police Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique — who is also a 2019 recipient of the Portraits of Giving honour — told guests, “Noel’s legacy lives in Michael and in the difference that he and NewRoads make in the community, whether it’s contributing to local health care, or the Holiday Heroes toy drive so children can have joy on Christmas day, hope and love in their house. These two gentlemen we owe all that to.”
NewRoads annually sponsors a Girls Night Out in honour of International Women’s Day in support of the Women's Centre of York Region, the LakeRide in support of Southlake Regional Health Centre, and the Classic Car Show in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Sports honouree Kirk Kelly volunteered with the NMHA for more than 30 years, serving in the role of coach, coach mentor, hockey development lead, coach-at-large, trainer-at-large, vice-president of house league, and most recently, interim president of the association.
"He has a level of experience rarely found within an association such as ours and the NMHA executive are excited at the prospects of moving forward under his leadership," the NMHA said on his appointment as interim president of the association in December 2015.
Kelly began coaching in house league shortly after moving to Newmarket in 1988 and had created the role of coach mentor by 2004, eventually leading NMHA initiatives in the rep coach selection process, parent surveys and rep team tryouts.
The 10th anniversary Portraits of Giving event will recognize the 16 2019 honourees, as well as celebrate all past 87 honourees during a nine-month tour across York Region, Merk said.
The 2019 honourees are:
1. Rosalyn Gonsalves, Lifetime Giver, Aurora Chamber of Commerce
2. Michael Croxon, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce
3. Benny Soscia, Aurora
4. Tina Tehranchian, Richmond Hill
5. Kelly and Mike Foley, King Township Chamber of Commerce
6. Eric Tappenden, Markham
7. Daniela Hofmann, Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
8. Gary and Gina Semeniuk, Georgina
9. Patrick Leblanc, Stouffville
10. Anita Smeskal-Donato, East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce
11. Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique, York Regional Police
12.Vaughan Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi, York Region Fire Services
13. Kirk Kelly, Sports
14. Lauren Castelino, Students Making An Impact Young Adult
The opening reception is on Thursday, April 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, 9005 Leslie St., in Richmond Hill. For more information and to buy a reception tickets, $60, visit here. All ticket sale proceeds will be donated to Canadian Feed the Children.
