Urban Heroes revealed in Etobicoke
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| Etobicoke Urban Hero Award winners |
Unsung
heroes praised for 'amazing' accomplishments
Toronto Community News announced the Etobicoke winners of the second annual Urban Hero Awards Monday, June 14 – recognizing those Etobian ‘heroes’ whose personal efforts, sacrifices and contributions have made a significant impact to a cause, person or group in the local community.
Grace Peacock, managing editor of the Etobicoke Guardian, lauded all the night’s winners across the categories of Arts and Culture, Community, Education, Environment, Health and Sciences, and Sport, for all the “amazing things” they’ve accomplished.
“When you learn about the kinds of things you are all doing...you can’t help but want to tell the world,” she said. “That’s why we do this – to give you the recognition you deserve, but also to share these stories in the hopes that this kind of selfless, inspiring work may catch on.”
In Arts and Culture, Lakeshore Arts took home the group prize, while Elisabeth Gibson, a longtime volunteer art teacher with the Out of the Cold program, won the individual prize.
Community winners included the Etobicoke Services for Seniors volunteer drivers in the group contest, and Justin Di Ciano, a volunteer with the PACT Urban Peace Program, took home the individual honours.
Retired teacher and longtime Etobicoke Children’s Centre volunteer Adair Bernys won the sole Education award, while President Tony Di Rollo of the Etobicoke Baseball Association was awarded the Sports prize.
In the Environment category, Ecovert sustainability consultants won the business award, while individual honours went to Christina Sharma, founder of Project CHIRP.
And in Health and Sciences, the Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere (FAME) won the group award, while Denise Bebenek, founder of the annual Meagan’s Walk for children with brain tumours, took home the individual prize.
The Urban Hero Awards are sponsored by Tony’s Flooring, Canadian Tire, Humber College, Ken Shaw Lexus-Toyota, Dr. Amanpreet Chopra Dental Clinic and Young Drivers.
See WINNERS' profiles.