Inaugural Order of Vaughan Ceremony honours those who have made our community great
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Mayor Bevilacqua announces 25 appointments to the Order
of Vaughan
The Honorable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of the City
of Vaughan, will preside over the first Order of Vaughan investiture ceremony
on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Riviera Parque. The Mayor will bestow the honour on 25
people who have played a pivotal role in shaping the city.
In celebration
of Vaughan’s 25th anniversary, the Order of Vaughan was created this year to pay
tribute to people who have contributed to the city’s success. It recognizes
people within the following categories: arts and entertainment, media and
communications, athletics, health and wellness, business, philanthropy, public
service, education, science and technology, not-for-profit, equity and
diversity, accessibility, environment and spirituality.
This year’s recipients are:
·
John
Amendola
·
Carlo
Baldassarra
· Avi
Benlolo
·
Franca
Damiani Carella
·
Sam
Ciccolini
·
Mario
Cortellucci
·
Noor
Din
·
Marie
Fiorellino Di Poce
·
Julian
Fantino
·
Isabella
Ferrara
·
Hannah
Godefa
·
Sandy
Keshen
·
Gus
Longo
·
Dominic
Mancuso
· Shernett Martin
·
James
Maynard
·
Nick
Puopolo
·
Vivian
Risi
·
David
Rocco
·
Bob
Santos
·
Giuliano
Todaro
·
Garry
Vosburg
·
Nicholas
Voudouris
·
Peter
Wixson
·
Daniele
Zanotti
Citations for the list of recipients are attached. Following
the ceremony, an event will take place at the Riviera Parque, at 2800 Highway 7,
to celebrate Vaughan’s milestone year. Members of the public are encouraged to
attend.
QUOTE
“We are
blessed to have citizens who give back to the community in a very meaningful
way. City-building is a team effort. The successes we proudly celebrate today
are the result of people who embody the spirit of generosity, are committed to
the greater good and work tirelessly to make a difference in Vaughan. Exemplary
citizenship deserves to be recognized and I look forward to presenting the
Order of Vaughan to the recipients who have earned our respect and admiration
as city builders.”
-Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- Recipients will receive an Order of Vaughan pin and certificate.
- Starting in 2017, up to 10 nominees will receive the Order of Vaughan each year. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must be a resident or former resident of the City.
- Applications will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2016 to June 1, 2017. Nomination forms will be available online and at City Hall, all Vaughan community centres and public libraries.
- Completed nominations will be considered by the Order of Vaughan Selection Committee, which will recommend successful nominations to Vaughan Council for approval.
- Members of the Order of Vaughan Selection Committee are the City Manager, Deputy City Manager of Community Services, City Clerk (as the chair), CEO of Vaughan Public Libraries, a representative of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, City Archivist and a past recipient of the Order of Vaughan starting in 2017.
LEARN MORE
- Order of Vaughan webpage
- Order of Vaughan application form
- Vaughan’s 25th anniversary website
- 30 -
Order of
Vaughan Recipients – 2016
|
John Amendola
|
Media and Communications
A respected influencer of local news who
ensures broad coverage of community events big and small, especially those
supporting the work of charities.
|
|
Carlo
Baldassarra
|
Philanthropy
One of Vaughan’s most prolific builders who has
been a generous donor in support of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.
|
|
Avi Benlolo
|
Equity and Diversity
Human rights advocate dedicated to promoting
tolerance, freedom and democracy through advocacy and education.
|
|
Franca
Damiani Carella
|
Health and Wellness
Founder of the Vitanova Foundation which
provides treatment, rehabilitation and support for persons and their families
dealing with alcohol, drug abuse, gambling addiction and anger management.
|
|
Sam
Ciccolini
|
Philanthropy
Having grown a family business into a
prominent insurance brokerage, he is being recognized for his contributions
to the community and sports.
|
|
Mario
Cortellucci
|
Philanthropy
A leading developer who is a generous
supporter to a long list of charities and community initiatives with an
emphasis on education for children and youth in need, healthcare facilities
and First Nation communities.
|
|
Noor Din
|
Not-For-Profit
Founder of Human Endeavour who works to
enrich community life for Vaughan and its diverse communities.
|
|
Marie
Fiorellino
Di Poce
|
Public
Service
Leader of Empowerment Through Achievement
(ETA) Vaughan Women’s Shelter and Outreach Centre who is a positive force for
women, youth and children in the community.
|
|
Julian
Fantino
|
Public Service
Community leader with long-standing record
of supporting service clubs and the seniors’ community.
|
|
Isabella
Ferrara
|
Public Service
Chair of SAVI (Seniors Association of
Vaughan Initiative) and powerful voice for seniors in the community.
|
|
Hannah
Godefa
|
Not-For-Profit
Despite her youth, her dedication and
leadership has led to the empowerment of women and children on an
international scale.
|
|
Sandy
Keshen
|
Accessibility
Accessibil
ity advocate working tirelessly in
support of persons with developmental and other disabilities.
|
|
Gus Longo
|
Business
Successful business leader committed to
generosity, sustainability and community-mindedness.
|
|
Dominic
Mancuso
|
Arts and Entertainment
An internationally recognized Juno Award winner
who maintains a strong connection to Vaughan and serves as its unofficial
ambassador on a municipal, national and international scale.
|
|
Shernett Martin
|
Education
An educator and writer whose accomplishments
include the founding of the Vaughan African Canadian Association, CariVaughan
and the Ballers’ Paradise youth basketball organization.
|
|
James
Maynard
|
Public Service
Dedicated to the protection of Vaughan’s
heritage, and the promotion of community education and experiences in
agriculture.
|
|
Nick
Puopolo
|
Business
A generous donor to numerous causes and successful
business owner and innovator in the lighting field whose accomplishments
include the Canadian Opera House, Ripley’s Aquarium and the soon-to-be-unveiled
LED lighting system for Niagara Falls.
|
|
Vivian Risi
|
Philanthropy
Real estate industry leader who has made
significant contributions to the Yellow Brick House as well as a variety of Vaughan charities.
|
|
David Rocco
|
Arts and Entertainment
Internationally known arts and entertainment
personality who is actively involved in the Vaughan community, hosting events
and contributing to local charities.
|
|
Bob Santos
|
Accessibility
Transformed the employment landscape for
persons with disabilities through his activities to encourage employers to
integrate people with disabilities into the workforce.
|
|
Giuliano
Todaro
|
Philanthropy
Founder of Giuliano’s Journey, a non-profit
organization to promote education and research funding to help children with
leukemia.
|
|
Garry
Vosburg
|
Public Service
Through a long list of volunteer activities
has contributed impactful, meaningful public service to youth and the broader
community.
|
|
Nicholas Voudouris
|
Health and Wellness
Physician holding a number of leadership
roles in the medical community including service in support of Mackenzie
Health’s fundraising efforts.
|
|
Peter Wixson
|
Public Service
Long-standing executive director of the
Vaughan Food Bank whose generous efforts directly benefit Vaughan’s most
vulnerable citizens.
|
|
Daniele
Zanotti
|
Not-For-Profit
As president and CEO of United Way of
Toronto and York Region, he has dedicated his life and career to addressing
social issues such as poverty, job precarity and youth unemployment.
|