Vaughan residents receive highest civic honour

​Mayor Bevilacqua announces appointments to the Order of Vaughan

• Recipients will receive an Order of Vaughan pin and certificate.
• 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.
• Recipients are chosen by the Order of Vaughan Selection Committee.

• Order of Vaughan nomination form
• Order of Vaughan webpage

Bob Bak	Education Bob Bak is a strong champion for education and empowering youth. As founder of the Korean Community Centre for Multiculturalism, he is a pioneer of heritage language programs in Vaughan and York Region. Among his many achievements has been implementing the International Languages Program within the York Region District School Board. He is a recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal and the City of Vaughan’s Civic Hero Award. A resident of Vaughan since 1987, Mr. Bak has built a solid reputation as an active and engaged community member for more than 45 years.
Vic De Zen	Philanthropy, Business  A successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and visionary in the plastics industry, Vic De Zen has made a significant contribution to city-building here in Vaughan and beyond. Shortly after immigrating to Canada in 1962, he started his first business, which introduced the vinyl window industry to the Canadian market. Mr. De Zen has since established multiple businesses and created thousands of jobs. He is a passionate supporter of the Meta Centre, an organization committed to serving individuals with special needs, and most recently he made a transformative pledge of $10 million to support the establishment of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Mr. De Zen has received many prestigious awards including the Order of Canada, Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Canada’s Innovation Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Plastics Industry Association. Through his corporate leadership and philanthropy, he continues to inspire positive change in our community.
Alessia Dickson	Arts and Entertainment Author of the award-winning book series The Crystal Chronicles, Alessia Dickson is passionate about writing and is a champion of youth empowerment and literacy. At age 17, her first novel was published, which she began writing at the tender age of 10. Since then, Ms. Dickson has spoken to hundreds of students at more than 45 local elementary and high schools to speak about the importance of reading, writing and aspiring to reach one’s full potential, whether in sports, academics or the arts. In addition to advocating for higher learning, she highlights the important role hard work, dedication and persistence play in the pursuit of life goals. She is an inspiring role model for young people looking to follow their dreams.
Frank Dimant	Not-for-Profit Frank Dimant, former CEO of the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith, is internationally recognized for his commitment to human rights advocacy. In this role, he co-ordinated campaigns against anti-Semitism in Canada and abroad, and established a 24-hour hotline to report acts of racism. Mr. Dimant spearheaded significant educational efforts to convey the magnitude of the Holocaust and has led numerous international missions championing human rights. He currently serves as the CEO of Christians United for Israel Canada, where he works to build awareness and support for Israel. A recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, he continues to be a voice for the Jewish community.
Geraldine Di Marco	Not-for-Profit Geraldine Di Marco is the president and co-founder of A Touch of Love and Hope Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping children and seniors both locally and internationally. Established in 2014, the foundation was built upon her desire to give back to the community by supporting youth in need and providing social services to the elderly. Ms. Di Marco has also had a significant impact on arts and culture in York Region through her volunteer work with Opera York and Opera Belcanto of York. A long-standing resident of Vaughan, she is an active member of our community devoted to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Meriel Gordon	Philanthropy, Not-for-Profit Dedicated to finding a cure and building awareness for Crohn’s disease, Meriel Gordon has been instrumental in the York Region Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC). She was one of the drivers of the first Heel ‘n Wheel-a-Thon in Thornhill to raise money and unite people who have been impacted by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Ms. Gordon also pioneered the first CCFC Education Symposium in Canada, which brought patients, researchers and health care professionals together to share insights and treatment information. As a result of her efforts, the symposium now takes place across the country. Ms. Gordon remains an active member of the community, committed to multiple philanthropic causes including environmental sustainability, children, health care and women.
Rona Kleiman	Not-For-Profit As the founder and former president of Project Linus Canada, Rona Kleiman was instrumental in obtaining charitable status for the organization, which provides blankets to children in hospitals and shelters who are facing life crises. Running one of the 44 chapters in Canada, she worked tirelessly to collect, prepare and deliver blankets across the Greater Toronto Area. Today, Ms. Kleiman continues to deliver hundreds of blankets a month to children in need.
Dominic Lee	Health and Wellness As the founder and president of the First Chinese Senior Association of Vaughan, Dominic Lee has been dedicated to providing seniors with recreational activities to improve their physical and intellectual well-being. He is a leader in the Chinese community and an advocate for embracing a healthy lifestyle. Mr. Lee developed innovative exercises to support patient recovery and wellness as a volunteer with the Toronto Western Hospital Community Mental Health Program, where he continues to volunteer his time today. Through his passion for health and helping others, he has had a tremendous impact on many people in the City of Vaughan and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Rabbi Yoseph Zaltzman	Not-for-Profit, Spiritual As the founder of the Jewish Russian Community Centre, an organization that provides a variety of resources for Jewish people from Russia, Rabbi Yoseph Zaltzman is a spiritual leader who has been instrumental in facilitating the integration of Russian immigrants and their families into the Jewish community in Vaughan. A long-time resident of Vaughan, he has developed many programs to help newcomers adjust and integrate into their new city. Through the provision of educational, spiritual, religious and cultural services, he has been successful in creating a strong network that has been successful in helping Russian newcomers and their families reach their full potential.

Carlo Baldassarra

Philanthropy Recognized as one of the City of Vaughan’s modern-day pioneers and most prolific homebuilders, Carlo Baldassarra has demonstrated continuous and exceptional commitment in support of numerous charities. Mr. Baldassarra’s most recent generous donation to support the building of the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital solidifies his exemplary efforts to secure a legacy for healthcare in Vaughan.