The 15th Annual Portraits of Giving initiative celebrating inspiring community leaders has wrapped up its tour across York Region honouring 15 individuals.
The initiative's crystal anniversary theme "embraces optimism, joy, hope and connection that our honourees all share – each having a unique and inspiring impact, helping to make York Region a brighter place to live, work, learn and give," according to founder Karen Merk.
The honourees and dignitaries gathered for a finale celebration at the Old Town Hall in Newmarket Dec. 19.
The 2024 honourees are:
- Georgina: Jim Anderson — Jim dedicated 27 years of his time and heart as a volunteer coach and executive member of the Georgina Minor Baseball Association, as well as more than 20 years as a Georgina Cares Fund volunteer.
- East Gwillimbury: Bill Gianopoulos — The co-owner of Newmarket’s Market Brewing Company and his team host regular events that support many local charities, including the OSPCA, Newmarket Food Pantry, Rose of Sharon, Abuse Hurts, CHATS, Inn From the Cold, York Pride, Hockey for Grace
- Newmarket: John Van Teunenbroek — The owner of John’s No Frills in Newmarket has supported the Newmarket Food Pantry since first opening, and continues to work to tackle food insecurity in the community.
- Aurora: Chris Neal — Growing businesses like Neal Brothers Brands Inc., Crank Coffee and Jonluca Neal has allowed Chris Neal to pour his passions, products, time, and monetary resources directly into the industries and charitable organizations like Southlake Regional Health Centre in which he wholeheartedly believes.
- Stouffville: Carly and Joe Lyons-Rising — When most people think about starting a business, they don’t think first about the money they want to give to charity, but that’s precisely what the Lyons-Risings envisioned as the starting point of Data Gives Back, of which 25 per cent of monthly revenues supports grieving children and families through Seasons Centre.
- Richmond Hill: Rhadika Chawla — Radhika, the owner and operator of Richmond Hill Optometry Clinic, has travelled to other countries to help improve the prospects and possibilities for other communities in addition to her own.
- Lifetime Achievement: Harry French — Harry is a man of vision, innovation, and action. He’s been passionately expanding his network and environmental impact for most of his personal and professional life, creating a legacy of positive change and ecological healing in York Region and beyond.
- Vaughan: Sandra Moniz-Prencipe — “Repurposing for a purpose” were the words Sandra used to articulate her heart-centred motivations behind Purse Project York Region, which began in 2016 and quickly grew in interest, donations and volunteers.
- King: Michelle Frauley — Her impact as a caregiver, volunteer, resident, and business owner (CEO Hospall Private Homecare) can be felt and measured everywhere. As a champion for local businesses and business opportunities in her everyday life, she has inspired a great deal of activation and engagement in her community.
- Markham Paul Bailey —His commitment to the health and well-being of our community has resulted in better building practices, more focus on sustainability and set new development standards that will be experienced and appreciated by generations to come.
- Emergency Services - Paramedic Marc and Courtney Di Stefano — The married duo of proud and passionate paramedics have fostered the Winter Charity Gala has raised nearly $60,000 within the community toward resources that support paramedics dealing with PTSD and mental health struggles.
- Young Adult Vanessa Wang — There are countless ways to volunteer your time, expertise, strengths, and passions, but it was through her early introduction to Portraits of Giving that a very young but ambitious Vanessa recognized that music would be her vehicle for giving.
- Sports Katie Williams — Advocating for women’s hockey and creating more opportunities for women and girls to play, learn and grow has been Katie’s passion and mission in her hometown community as well as the hockey community as a whole.
