Mariam Ahmed
Darrel Murphy Award – Attendant of the Year
This award was established in recognition of Darrel Murphy, past director and founder of the SCI Ontario Attendant Services Outreach Program and was created to recognize an attendant for his/her outstanding contribution on the job.Mariam Ahmed is committed to SCI Ontario and the clients of the Attendant Services program. As a two- year, new employee, Mariam has proven her commitment by the professional rapport she has gained with the clients she supports. It is a pleasure to have such a dedicated individual as a part of our team here at SCI Ontario.
Bruce Sinclair
Ken Langford Lifetime Member Award
This award recognizes outstanding Canadians whose commitment and devotion to the mission of SCI Ontario has resulted in significant advances for people with spinal cord injuries in Canada and around the world. This award also honours individuals who have inspired others around them to assist people living with spinal cord injuries to achieve independence, self –reliance and full community participation.
Bruce Sinclair has given his time and support to SCI Ontario in many ways. He is a past board member. He is the founder of our Ski and Snowboard Day. He was the primary leader of SCI Canada's strategic planning process in 1998 and a past advisor to the Rick Hansen Foundation. Bruce was a key volunteer in establishing Toronto's Wheelchair Relay Challenge and a formidable fundraising volunteer for us. We are incredibly thankful for the contributions Bruce Sinclair has made to SCI Ontario.
Bruce Sinclair has given his time and support to SCI Ontario in many ways. He is a past board member. He is the founder of our Ski and Snowboard Day. He was the primary leader of SCI Canada's strategic planning process in 1998 and a past advisor to the Rick Hansen Foundation. Bruce was a key volunteer in establishing Toronto's Wheelchair Relay Challenge and a formidable fundraising volunteer for us. We are incredibly thankful for the contributions Bruce Sinclair has made to SCI Ontario.
The Hopkins Family
Jim and Sharon Vigmond Leadership Award
The Jim and Sharon Vigmond Award is to recognize individuals who have shown great leadership in fundraising for people with spinal cord injuries.
The Hopkins family has been supporting SCI Ontario for decades. Al Hopkins joined the Wheelchair Relay Challenge organizing committee in 1997 and was an active member until 2002. His daughter, Jill, brought her team – Jill’s Pals – to the relay in 1997 and they participated for 13 years. For many years, Jill’s Pals were multiple teams with 34 teams participating over the years to raise an incredible $220,000! Jill also sat on the Wheelchair Relay Challenge organizing committee from 2002 until 2008. The family was instrumental in helping SCI Ontario to raise almost $3.4 million through the Wheelchair Relay Challenge event during this time.
The Hopkins family has been supporting SCI Ontario for decades. Al Hopkins joined the Wheelchair Relay Challenge organizing committee in 1997 and was an active member until 2002. His daughter, Jill, brought her team – Jill’s Pals – to the relay in 1997 and they participated for 13 years. For many years, Jill’s Pals were multiple teams with 34 teams participating over the years to raise an incredible $220,000! Jill also sat on the Wheelchair Relay Challenge organizing committee from 2002 until 2008. The family was instrumental in helping SCI Ontario to raise almost $3.4 million through the Wheelchair Relay Challenge event during this time.
Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
John Counsell Award
The John Counsell Award is presented in the memory of SCI Ontario’s founder to those who demonstrate a personal commitment to the organization by giving their time, passion and expertise to advance the cause of people with spinal cord injuries.Over the past 10 years, Kathleen has devoted much of her research to studying the antecedents and consequences of physical activity participation among people with spinal cord injuries. She has published the world’s very first best practice guidelines on physical activity for people with spinal cord injuries. Her passion and commitment to her work is stupendous. Kathleen's shared research findings supports people with spinal cord injuries in reaching their full potential. SCI Ontario is honoured to work with Kathleen as a partner, member of the Ontario SCI Solutions Alliance, and as an influential supporter of our work.
Ian Parker
Peer Activist Award
The Peer Activist Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who has made a significant impact on public policy that ultimately benefits Ontarians with spinal cord injuries. This person works with SCI Ontario and its partners to identify solutions to long-standing systemic barriers to inclusion in community life. Through his/her leadership, commitment and strategic foresight, people with SCI will benefit from greater access and independence in Ontario.Ian Parker has worked as an Independent Living advocate in Ontario and Canada, assertively and tactfully pushing for change for over 40 years. Specifically, Ian has been a major promoter for the expansion of attendant services in Ontario. The provincial Direct Funding program has expanded by $15m in the last 3 years thanks to the leadership and resolve of Ian Parker.
Howie Sacks and Henry
Corporate Tribute Award
The SCI Ontario Corporate tribute award honors individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to SCI Ontario have made their communities and the world better, and have inspired others.Howie, Sacks and Henry LLP are great supporters of SCI Ontario. Their level of engagement has increased over the years. They have participated in Ski and Snowboard Day, golf tournaments and our Wheelchair Relay Challenge and StROLL. Most recently, they have taken on the role of Central Ontario Peer Support Sponsors. Their enthusiasm shows as they attend all of the Peer Connections events and help to spread the word about SCI Ontario activities via social media. Howie, Sacks and Henry are highly valued partners and we are thankful for their involvement with SCI Ontario
Plan Canada
Corporate Tribute Award
The Employer Tribute Award recognizes employers who have consistently demonstrated support and collaboration with SCI Ontario’s Employment Services.During the last two years, Plan Canada has hired eight of our job seekers including three in the past year. They have also provided training opportunities for several other job seekers. Furthermore, several of those hired have had their contracts renewed. We wish to recognize Plan Canada for taking into consideration the needs of our job seekers during the interview process by ensuring their accommodation needs are considered. Once hired, managers have demonstrated understanding and sensitivity and have assisted the job seekers in learning valuable work skills. Plan Canada has a truly inclusive workplace where all are highly respected.
Bernie Gluckstein
Volunteer Tribute Award
The Volunteer Tribute Award recognizes an outstanding individual whose extraordinary gift of volunteer time contributed to SCI Ontario has improved the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.Bernie Gluckstein has been a dedicated board member since 2002. In that year, he chaired a wine auction event – Celebration of Bordeaux – that raised over $100,000! In other wine auction events that Bernie was involve in, they raised over $230,000! As well, Bernie has participated in golf tournaments, the Wheelchair Relay Challenge, Ski and Snowboard Day and in various galas over the years. He has generously contributed prizes and auction items to many of our events. In October, 2014, Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers became a sponsor of our Central Ontario Peer Support Program. We are so lucky to have the ongoing support of Bernie Gluckstein and are thankful for his participation in our organization.