Vaughan community comes together: Mayor Del Duca
Spirit of Generosity initiative supports more than 200 not-for-profit and community organizations
More than 800 dedicated citizens, community leaders, accomplished business professionals and committed public servants recently came together to raise funds for the Spirit of Generosity initiative during the City of Vaughan’s 2023 Mayor’s Gala.
Established in 2011, the Spirit of Generosity has raised millions of dollars to enhance the lives of many people in Vaughan and beyond. All funds raised from the 2023 Mayor’s Gala and Mayor Steven Del Duca’s Annual Charity Golf Classic go toward the Spirit of Generosity initiative, which continues its meaningful support of more than 200 not-for-profit and community organizations. In the initial months of the 2022 to 2026 Term of Council, nearly $350,000 in funding support has been allocated to community-building organizations, including:
- Concord West Seniors Club
- Filipino Seniors Club
- The Abraham Global Peace Initiative
- Maple Pioneer Italian Seniors Club
- Woodbridge Horticultural Society
- The York Regional Police Project Lifesaver program
- Vaughan in Motion for Cancer Care
This year's gala theme focused on honouring the past and building the future. Mayor Del Duca used his keynote address to acknowledge the tireless hard work and enduring legacy of dedicated residents, grassroots groups, past Vaughan City Councils and elected officials, paying special tribute to former Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua.
In addition to founding the Spirit of Generosity initiative, former Mayor Bevilacqua's tenure includes the development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and North Maple Regional Park, leading the City's response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the opening of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. Another critical first for the Vaughan community includes former Mayor Bevilacqua's commitment to advancing access to education and life-long learning, as demonstrated by his leadership to bring Niagara University in Ontario to Vaughan.
In recognition of Maurizio Bevilacqua’s more than three decades of public service, including his time as both a Member of Parliament and Head of Council, Mayor Del Duca announced his intention to bring forward a Member’s Resolution at a future Committee of the Whole meeting with two key recommendations. First, to rename Wellness Way, located at the site of the Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, Bevilacqua Way. Second, to request the Vaughan Public Library Board rename the Civic Centre Resource Library the Maurizio Bevilacqua Civic Centre Resource Library.
Spirit of Generosity recipient organizations are identified based on recommendations from Members of Council, community leaders and organization/community requests.
QUOTE:
"The Vaughan community has come together once again in support of the remarkable, compassionate and selfless volunteers and charitable organizations that dedicate countless hours of their time to safeguarding and elevating the quality of life for residents. As Vaughan's new Mayor, I am determined to ensure that the Spirit of Generosity initiative remains a cornerstone of our city-building efforts to help care for some of our most vulnerable residents residing throughout our community. The success of the 2023 Gala was possible because of the leadership demonstrated by trusted stewards like Maurizio Bevilacqua. As we look ahead, we must always remember that present leaders must reflect on the past to inform and inspire the actions necessary to help shape Vaughan's promising future."
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
QUICK FACTS:
- Spirit of Generosity recipients include Vaughan-based charities, not-for-profit organizations and community groups.
LEARN MORE:
- Recipient organizations of Spirit of Generosity funding - May 30, 2023 Committee of the Whole (1) staff report
- Mayor’s Gala website
