Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and Osgoode Ward Councillor George Darouze presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award at City Council today to Glenn Mooney for his many years of service with Camp Quality, a national charitable organization devoted to providing free camp experiences and year-round programming for children with cancer.

Glenn Mooney is Director of Camp Quality of Eastern Ontario and he and his wife Pam have been involved with the organization for over 18 years. Camp Quality Canada is part of an international family of organizations originally founded in Australia in 1983 and brought to Canada in 1988. Its mission is to provide programs to support children with cancer and their families, an area not being addressed by any other organization. The aim of Camp Quality is to provide uplifting experiences for kids with cancer, and the primary focus is the incredible opportunity to create a program of empowerment, encouragement and, most importantly, fun for these amazing children.

Glenn projects a warm, cheerful attitude to campers, parents, volunteers, and everyone he interacts with. He resolves conflicts and handles other difficult situations with remarkable patience and admirable tact. He loves people, works hard, and always tries to lift the spirits of those around him. His willingness to take on difficult projects, such as raising the tens of thousands of dollars required to run the camps, and coordinating with teams of volunteers to see them to succeed, is impressive.

Ottawa – As the founder of RideauStone Arts Centre, a not-for-profit organization based in Ottawa, Patrick Lin was presented with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting by Mayor Jim Watson and Gloucester-South Nepean Ward Councillor Michael Qaqish for promoting cultural exchanges between Canada and China. Mr. Lin was also recognized for his work with the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, Invest Ottawa, and with many programs to attract Chinese investment to Ottawa.

Mr. Lin and his wife are active patrons of the NAC Foundation, and they are supporting partners of the NAC Orchestra Canada 150 Tour. Mr. Lin also organized a concert on February 12, 2017 for a musical celebration of Canada’s 150^th anniversary by the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra,

Mr. Lin was born in 1966 in the People’s Republic of China and graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Laws from Beijing University of International Relations in 1989. He worked in the Central Government of China, and Beijing Municipal Government for 10 years in senior and key positions and in 1999 received his diploma of Business Administration from Siemens Management Institute, specializing in human resources management and strategic investment.

Mr. Lin and his family moved to Ottawa in 2011 and set up his investment company RideauStone Investment Inc, which engages in material investment in Ottawa. He also set up a consulting company in China named Beijing Ottawa Summit in order to facilitate the exchanges between Beijing & Ottawa.

Ottawa – Lee Ann Napiorkowski’s commitment to volunteer coaching goes beyond creating a winning attitude with her players – she instills the key values of loyalty, equity and respect for their teammates and their community. Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Riley Brockington recognized her commitment and dedication by presenting her with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting.

The influence of respect, inclusion, and teamwork is derived from Lee Ann Napiorkowski’s work as an Inclusion Coordinator Teacher at St. Peter Catholic High School, which focuses the inclusion of high-needs students in every aspect of high-school life.

At St. Peter’s High School, Lee Ann Napiorkowski also lends her leadership skills as head coach of the senior boy’s rugby team. Instilling winning and core values has translated into the team reaching several city championships, as well as the players’ participation in fundraisers and community charity events.

In addition to the high school sport scene, Lee Ann has extended her volunteer head coaching to the Ottawa Beavers-Banshees Rugby Football Club and other provincial and regional teams, including the Carleton University men’s team.

Her passion and commitment for inclusion and respect continued with her establishing an ambassador program that better connects the parent Beavers and Banshee Rugby clubs with junior players. Ensuring no player is ever left behind. Lee Ann has raised money for financially challenged players who could not afford registration and equipment. She even helped raised money for a player who qualified for the Eastern Ontario Championship, but could not afford the registration, equipment and travelling costs.

Always ready to lend a helping hand, Lee Ann was asked by a family of a St. Peter’s student, who tragically passed away, to help establish a memorial award in their son’s name. With her dedicated efforts, the John Kelly Memorial Award and a rugby tournament in his name remain a living tribute to their son’s life, and help other students pursue their rugby dreams after graduation.

Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and Rideau-Goulbourn Ward Councillor Scott Moffatt presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Bob Easy at today’s City Council meeting.

Bob Easy has been involved in building and supporting youth in the communities of Munster and Richmond going back to the 1970s. The sense of community and of family he established among the teams he coached was sadly evident in 2012 when one of Bob’s players died tragically during a game due to a heart condition. Bob took it upon himself as head coach to support the boy’s family, his team and coaches, and the opposing team, by arranging grief counseling. He also organizes fundraising events to assist local players whose parents are unable to fully afford the cost of a hockey season; players who have been given the opportunity to play at a higher competitive level but whose parents are not able to pay the fees associated with that.

In 2001 Bob was presented with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding service to Minor Hockey under the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association. In 2009/10 he was honoured as Coach of the Year by the Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association for his special dedication to player development and team play. In 2014 Bob was presented with the Bill Kitchen Award for his devotion of time and effort to strengthening minor hockey in the community.

Bob was also involved in umpiring for fastball in Kanata for many years, and in slo-pitch in North Gower, Richmond and Munster in his later years. He is also involved in the Munster Co-operative Nursery School’s annual ball tournament in June. In 2003 Bob, assisted by Sharon Shouldice of Stittsville, organized a tournament in support of Tori Carswell, a child cancer victim in the area. Bob also volunteers as a Santa and last year he played Santa at Munster’s first Santa Claus Parade.

Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson and West Carleton-March Ward Councillor Eli El-Chantiry presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Sharon Roper at today’s City Council meeting.

Sharon is a dedicated contributor to the leadership and operation of the West Carleton Food Access Centre. As a long-standing volunteer and community member, she has dedicated countless hours and years to ensuring that no resident of Carp and the surrounding West Carleton area goes without.

In addition to the direct work that she herself does, Sharon also plays a role in the training and encouragement of others who volunteer in the community. The food bank serves the needs of 66 families in West Carleton and Sharon keeps the shelves full. She is a wonderful role model working with local students and Pathfinders.

For years Sharon has been the coordinator of the Angel Tree Program in West Carleton. Working with local businesses, she starts well before Christmas to distribute angel trees to collect age appropriate toys for families in West Carleton. The toys are collected, sorted and distributed with food hampers just before Christmas.

Last February, there was a water pipe problem at the local senior’s residence and the water had to be shut off. Sharon saw a need and took action, doing laundry for several of the seniors. This is the Sharon who is greatly respected and admired.

Ottawa – Mayor Jim Watson, Stittsville Ward Councillor Shad Qadri and Rideau-Goulbourn Ward Councillor Scott Moffatt presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to John Brummell today’s City Council meeting.

John Brummell has been an outstanding resident of the Stittsville community for over 30 years. His journalistic integrity, unwavering initiative and joyful spirit as a reporter and photographer with the Stittsville News has heightened interest in local news stories and made them more meaningful to residents. His presence in the community with his trusty camera has become legendary, and his reporting and photographs have played a role in building community spirit and pride.

John has helped with many community efforts such as the annual “Stittsville Appreciation Awards”, and the 4H livestock shows at the Carp and Richmond fairs. Recently, he helped with the homecoming ceremony for Stittsville-born Olympic gold medalist, Erica Wiebe, and also helped with plans to rename the gymnasium the “Erica Wiebe Gymnasium”.

Many grandparents and parents are proud to have had their young ones featured in a Stittsville newspaper, and when people in the community see their neighbours and fellow residents featured in the paper, it brings the community closer together. John also has a bigger role in the community. He is a great supporter of the Goulbourn Skating Club, and was recognized for his community work when he received the Kanata Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award for Goulbourn several years ago. In 2013 he received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award recognizing his contributions to the community of Stittsville. John was an active member and president of the Stittsville District Lions Club, and he also played a role in the early days of the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville, where he remains an honorary member.

John was also given the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the 2016 Richmond Fair where he received the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies service diploma. He continues to be an enthusiastic participant and supporter of community life in Stittsville, and always brings a jovial smile and cooperative attitude to all that he does. He is passionate about the retention of the Stittsville village identity and will point out to developers and businesses in the community that their location is Stittsville, as opposed to Kanata.

December 14, 2016 – Mayor Jim Watson and Knoxdale-Merivale Ward Councillor Keith Egli presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Zachary Graves at today’s City Council meeting.

Zachary Graves leads the student run non-profit organization, Tools With Impact, which originally supported the local development of Mossuril, a village in Mozambique, through the donation of hand tools and essential building equipment. Zachary is also proudly involved in the special needs community where he volunteers as a Special Olympics Ontario Swimming Coach and a RBC Bluesfest Disabled Accessibility Team member. Zachary is a lifeguard and counselor at Camp Misquah, a camp for people with developmental disabilities, and he is also a volunteer coach for 77 Ottawa Otters Special Olympics Ontario athletes.

In its first two years, Tools With Impact was able to raise over $21,000 and collect over $65,000 worth of tools. With these resources, Zachary’s non-profit organization successfully established the first “Tool-Lending Library” in Mossuril and plans to establish several more in Northern Mozambique when their second shipment arrives. This is providing locals with sustainable access to high-quality building and landscaping equipment. Having raised enough tools to sufficiently supply Mossuril and several neighbouring villages, Zachary decided to evolve Tools With Impact’s mission into supporting and equipping underprivileged students with school supplies and educational tools. So far this year, 375 students have worked together to raise $20,000 to purchase supplies for students in need in Mozambique, Mali and Ecuador.

October 12th, 2016 – Mayor Jim Watson and Gloucester-South Nepean Ward Councillor Michael Qaqish presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Louise Staranczak and Frances Kane at today’s City Council meeting.

For the past four years, Ms. Staranczak and Ms. Kane have been the driving forces behind the rejuvenation of the gardens surrounding the Carleton Lodge Long Term Care Facility. Both these women have brought beauty and peace to the Carleton Lodge in an immeasurable way. Because of their tireless work, the immaculately kept gardens brimming with colour and life is inspiring to all who walk by.

Together they have officially logged more than 700 hours of work on the gardens this year alone. Most at the Carleton Lodge know the two spend countless more hours unofficially working on the gardens. It is also known that Ms. Staranczak and Ms. Kane are incredibly humble about their work, as they seek no praise or gratitude.

Ms. Staranczak and Ms. Kane have been instrumental in the complete reconstruction of the aviary garden at the main entrance of the Carleton Lodge. They have also added an entrance garden near the ramps gardens and completely refurbished a courtyard and chef’s garden. In addition to their daily work on the gardens, Ms. Staranczak and Ms. Kane supervise and mentor a group of volunteer gardeners of all ages, from teenagers to seniors.

The duo does not rest in the winter months. They take advantage of this time to propagate plants for the next season and care for the many indoor plants. Undoubtedly, the two bring joy to the residents, staff and visitors of the Carleton Lodge year-round.

The Mayor’s City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that has, through outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. This may include lifelong service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or other exemplary achievements.

Individuals, groups or organizations may be nominated by members of City Council or the public.

The award is presented at the beginning of each City Council meeting.