2023 Awards
In November 2023, Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF) recognized three individuals and one company whose exemplary volunteerism and contributions to local communities has been making a positive change in Waterloo Region. We are pleased to share the recipients of those awards, and some of the ways they have provided support:
From left to right: Marcia Smellie, Sharon Livingstone, Eric Avner (WRCF President & CEO), Scott Higgins, Allan Cayenne.
Walter Bean WRCF Community Volunteer Award
This award was created in memory of the founder of Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. It has been updated to recognize individuals who best exemplify and reinforce WRCF’s vision of ensuring our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving; someone who has made a continued, long-term volunteer commitment to WRCF.
2023 Recipients: Allan Cayenne and Sharon Livingstone
Allan has been a highly committed volunteer with WRCF for many years, serving multiple terms on our Children and Youth Committee (which he chaired), Community Grants Committee, and Racial Equity Committee. In addition to his support of WRCF, Allan has also volunteered for Creekside Church, YMCA of Three Rivers, and Oktoberfest (currently serving as Board President). Allan is engaged with the issues that impact our communities and continues to be generous with his time. Allan is an inspiration to us all.
Sharon served on the Board of the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation for over seven years and was a member of the inaugural board of WRCF. Many other organizations have been lucky enough to benefit from Sharon’s expertise and volunteerism – including the Cambridge Council on Aging, Cambridge Shelter Corporation, City of Cambridge’s Community Wellbeing Advisory Committee, Cambridge Hospital, St. Luke’s Place, and the Community Support Connections Foundation. We are grateful we had the opportunity to work with and learn from Sharon these past years – and will continue to do so, as she provides ongoing support to members of our community.
Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award
The Ken Murray WRCF Community Catalyst Award was created in memory of the first President of Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, to recognize individuals who are demonstrating their commitment to Waterloo Region by "doing more good". The award recognizes a community volunteer or philanthropist who demonstrates character traits evident in Ken Murray's life, including living a life with purpose and generosity, leadership, mentorship, and the ability to creatively tackle issues of today, with an eye to the future, by utilizing innovative philanthropic approaches and solutions.
2023 Recipient: Marcia Smellie
With two university degrees under her belt, Marcia moved from Toronto to Waterloo in 1982, joining the Waterloo Region District School Board as the first Black teacher at the multicultural Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School. Marcia has served in leadership roles with the Ontario Secondary Schools Teacher’s Federation, Galt Collegiate (in Cambridge), Anti-Racist Multicultural Educators’ Network of Ontario, and Congress of Black Women Waterloo Chapter. On top of that, Marcia also co-founded Run for Office Waterloo Region, which aims to encourage more Black people to run at all levels of government.
David Borges WRCF Organizational Goodness Award
This award was created in memory of the former Chair of the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation. This award recognizes businesses or organizations located in Waterloo Region that are committed to building and supporting our community through “doing more good”. This support could be demonstrated through corporate philanthropic giving, the encouragement and motivation of employees to become involved in community, and/or community leadership in local projects and initiatives.
2023 Recipient: HIP Developments
Founded in 2010, HIP Developments has been doing more than building real estate. In addition to building condominiums, they build public squares that encourage people to engage in play, and commission art installations that reconnect citizens to our community’s stories. They are also involved in BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region, which aims to create 10,000 half-price permanently affordable homes by 2030. www.hipdevelopments.com
WRCF’s 2023 awards were designed by Visual Artist, Pamela Rojas.
