Residents Linda Orriell and Marilyn Braude Receive Civic Hero Awards

Vaughan Council presented the City’s Civic Hero Award to residents Linda Orriell and Marilyn Braude on November 27. Ms. Orriell and Ms. Braude were recognized for their commitment to their community and their volunteerism.

“Linda and Marilyn are model community volunteers whose actions are inspirational and set an example for others to follow,” said Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “They are passionate about working at the local level and their commitment and compassion make Vaughan a better place to live.”

The City of Vaughan’s Civic Hero Award recognizes residents who have taken extraordinary steps to care for their community. The awards have been presented annually since 2005 to a resident from each of the City’s five local wards for outstanding achievement and individual contribution to Vaughan. Nominating residents for Council approval is the responsibility of the ward Councillors. Ms. Orriell and Ms. Braude were nominated by Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman.

Both women are founding directors and officers of the Gallanough Resource Centre. After the City of Vaughan Library Board decided to close the Gallanough Library for budgetary reasons, a group of local residents stepped forward with a plan to maintain the small facility on Brooke Avenue in Thornhill. On November 8, 1999, the Gallanough Library re-opened to the public as the Gallanough Resource Centre – the first community operated resource centre in Canada.

“Today, the Gallanough Resource Centre is a thriving, vibrant testament to how partnerships between community, grassroots initiatives and the City of Vaughan can improve the quality of life in a community,” said Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman.

Ms. Orriell has also been a volunteer with the Toronto Art Show, the United Jewish Appeal’s walkathon and helped at a number of events at Beth Tikvah Synagogue. Ms. Braude was a volunteer with the fracture clinic at Mackenzie Richmond Hill (formerly York Central Hospital) and the Richmond Hill Distress Centre.

Ms. Braude has lived in Vaughan since 1985 and Ms. Orriell has been a resident since 1995.

​