Civic Hero Award for Ward 2 Presented to Sonia Facchini
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March 26, 2014
The Civic Hero Award for Ward 2 was presented to Sonia Facchini by Vaughan Council on March 25. She was recognized for her volunteerism, active community engagement and fundraising with her annual charity memorial event, the Circle of Friends Butterfly Kisses Memorial Release.
Ms. Facchini founded Circle of Friends in 2008. Since then, the charity has raised $35,000 for Hospice Vaughan and $16,000 for the Vaughan Health Care Foundation through the sale of butterflies, which are released at a memorial event every year in remembrance of loved ones who have passed.
She also organizes a yearly fundraising carwash in support of SickKids Foundation and has donated more than $7,100 to SickKids Hospital. For 21 years, Ms. Facchini has acted as a youth group counsellor for the Catholic youth ministry, organizing guest speakers and parish events for various churches in Kleinburg, Maple and King City. She will soon be acting as a youth advisor and outreach leader for a new program she intends to launch this year in Vaughan called the Youth Initiative Program.
In 2013, Ms. Facchini was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for her community work in Vaughan.
QUOTES
“Sonia Facchini has taken extraordinary steps to care for and give back to her community through her generosity and commitment to inspiring youth. Her fundraising success, achieved through her charity memorial event the Circle of Friends Butterfly Kisses Memorial Release, spreads the message of hope and gives residents a reason to come together and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. Ms. Facchini’s volunteerism and compassion reflect those of a true civic hero, and we are very grateful for her contributions.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
“Sonia Facchini has made outstanding contributions to the Vaughan community with her community service and volunteerism. Through her charitable work and her commitment to mentoring youth, Ms. Facchini has demonstrated the leadership of a civic hero and we congratulate her for making our community a better place.”
-Ward 2 Councillor Tony Carella
QUICK FACTS
- The Civic Hero Award is presented annually to one resident from each of Vaughan’s five wards.
- The awards recognize outstanding achievement and individual contributions to the community.
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