Posted on: November 16th, 2022. By: Lisa Queen, yorkregion.com, Original Article.
Awards ceremony held at Aurora Legion
Community organizations and associations who make Newmarket and Aurora caring and compassionate places to be have been recognized for their caring spirits.
Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen presented the groups with Queen’s Jubilee Pins Nov. 8 at the Aurora Legion.
The recipients were:
• Inn From the Cold, which meets the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
• Aurora Food Pantry, which provides food assistance to individuals and families in need in Aurora and Oak Ridges, thanks to donations from local organizations, schools, businesses and individuals, and the dedicated volunteers who serve clients.
• Southlake Regional Health Centre, which delivers a wide range of health care services to the communities of northern York Region and southern Simcoe County. Its advanced regional programs include Cancer Care and Cardiac Care and serve a broader population across the northern GTA and into Simcoe-Muskoka.
• Central York Fire Services, which provides services to a combined population of about 146,000 residents in Aurora and Newmarket. The department responds to about 5,000 calls a year.
• Newmarket Food Pantry, which provides 10 to 14 days of emergency food to residents of Newmarket and East Gwillimbury. In 2021, it provided $1.3 million worth of food to 4,800 households.
• Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association, a charity providing strong leadership for the diverse Black community, especially Black youth, through program delivery, education and partnerships to cultivate an empowered and united Black community in Newmarket and surrounding area.
• Blue Door Support Services, largest emergency housing provider in York Region providing life-saving support to children, youth, men, women, and families at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. It operates Leeder Place for families, Porter Place for men and Kevin’ Place for youth.
• Community Living York Central, which provides support to people who have an intellectual disability. It focuses on creating long relationships founded on a shared passion, mutual respect, and accountability.
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of York, which enables life-changing mentoring relationships for children and youth across York Region and Bradford West Gwillimbury to empower them to ignite their own potential.
• Optimist Club of Newmarket, which since 1949 has been providing young people in our community with the values and skills they need to become the exceptional community leaders of tomorrow.
• Margaret Bahen Hospice and Doane House Hospice, which provide palliative care services and support for people with end-of-life illnesses, their families and caregivers.
• 108 Health Promotion Association, which promotes seniors’ healthy living physically, psychologically and spiritually, socially integrate seniors through group recreation and improves seniors’ physical health.
• The Able Network, which provides relevant, inclusive work and recreation opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities in natural job and community settings.
• York Region Paramedic Services, which responds to emergency and non-emergency calls, is available to provide standby service for special events and can give presentations about health and safety topics.
• Aurora Legion, which runs the annual poppy fund and Remembrance Day services and supports veterans retiring from the military or RCMP in transitioning back to civilian life.
• Aurora Lions Club, which serves the community with many different programs and projects such as vision and hearing screening for kindergarten children, the Christmas basket program, Polo For Heart, Big Bike Ride for Heart and Stroke, used eyeglasses program, dog guides, pancake breakfasts in Sheppard`s Bush and assistance to local residents.
• York Region Food Network, a community organization that offers services and programs to support food security. It also educates and advocates for actions to reduce food insecurity.
• Aurora Seniors Association, a group of energetic older adults who support the programs and activities at the Aurora Seniors Centre.
• Girls Inc. of York Region, which is dedicated to empowering girls and young women to seek the highest quality of life possible.
• Aurora Black Community Association, which works to advance the diversity of Aurora by delivering programs and events that dismantle racism, support inclusion and equity and promote Black excellence, education and economic development.
• York Pride, which works to promote the 2SLGBTQ community in York Region, looks to strengthen the community’s voices and supports advocacy of the community.
• Aurora Chamber of Commerce, which leads and serves the Aurora business community. Its goal is to build, drive and positively influence the economic landscape of Aurora.
• York Regional Police, which provides policing services to the growing and diverse region and supports many non-profit organizations such as Holiday Heroes — Salvation Army/Victim Services, Hike for Meghan — Big Brothers Big Sisters, the United Way and 24-Hour Challenge for Autism — Kerry’s Place.
• Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, which has been the voice of business in Newmarket for more than 160 years. It helps members navigate, adapt, reach out and thrive with dynamic programs, services and initiatives designed with business success in mind.
• Cedar Centre, which provides a unique and holistic approach to therapy, education and advocacy for those who have experienced trauma.
• Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe, which supports people in their recovery journey toward mental health and wellness.
• The Royal Canadian Legion — Newmarket Branch, which continues to loyally serve both veterans and the community, honours the Canadians who gave their lives so our nation could be free and safeguards the rights of the disabled, the widows, widowers and dependents of those who served.
• Aurora Black Caucus, a group of like-minded individuals committed to sharing and celebrating African Heritage — the cultures that form the foundation of our collective history and develops programs that celebrate and affirm Black advancements and contributions to Canada.
• Hope House Community Hospice, a volunteer-driven community agency offering specialized services and support to those diagnosed with life-threatening illness, their family and caregivers, and those who are bereaved.
• DeafBlind Ontario Services, which provides customized support services to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, nonverbal or deafblind.
• Neighbourhood Network, the charitable arm of Magna International, which works to multiply community giving and create caring and vibrant neighbourhoods through promoting volunteerism, linking resources, and supporting local charities and agencies.
• Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers, a charitable organization providing support and educational services in York Region to prenatal and parenting young women aged 14 to 29.
• Belinda’s Place, where the Salvation Army provides basic needs, temporary housing, client-focused wraparound supports and follow up services to assist women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Welcoming Arms, which seek to help those in need to experience a fuller participation in society by providing social, economic, and spiritual support.
• Community & Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS), which is committed to advocating for and delivering high-quality, person-centred home and community services to older adults and caregivers living in York Region and South Simcoe.
• Abuse Hurts, which strives to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of abuse through education and public awareness.
• St. John Ambulance York Region, which teaches and provides first aid and emergency medical services. The organization operates in more than 300 communities across Canada, which more than 10,000 volunteers providing over one million hours of community service per year.
• Catulpa Community Support Services, serves children, youth, adults and families with special or unique needs in The County of Simcoe, Region of York, the Four Counties and Durham.
• Women’s Centre of York Region, which offers unique programming and services that address a range of circumstances, to women who are in need of positive change. These services include counselling, skill development for life changes, financial empowerment and career-building programs.
• Cornerstone to Recovery, which supports people experiencing, and impacted by addiction & mental health.
• Al-Abrar Muslim Association, which serves Muslim residents in Aurora, Newmarket, and Oak Ridges. It also offers programs for children, adults, women and families to encourage healthy relationships within the community and spread the Islamic message of peace.
• Optimist Club of Aurora, which contributes in many ways to making life better for residents. For example, it has contributed more $120,000 to the Aurora Public Library’s Children’s Section and $20,000 to the Healthy Snacks Programs at Aurora elementary schools; it marshals the Santa Claus parade annually, contributed $30,000 to the York Region Community Safety Village and has organized the Aurora Minor Hockey Tournament and the Annual Chess Tournament for 21 years
• Newmarket Veterans Association, which is York Region’s oldest and largest independent veterans’ association. It supports various cadet corps, donates to charities and sports clubs and offers bursaries to graduating high school students wishing to further their academic career.
• Newmarket Lions Club, which provides financial assistance to individuals in need requiring prescription drugs, eye glasses, mobility aids, etc. It also helps schools in need of funding for breakfast programs, end-of-year trips and more.
• Alzheimer Society of York Region, which supports residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, is committed to the care of families and promotes research into the cure of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.