Presented by MLSE and Scotiabank, public nomination is open until Friday, October 30th at 10:00 PM EDT.
(Toronto, ON) September 21st, 2020 – Canada’s Walk of Fame announces its national call for submissions for the 2020 Community Hero Program, presented by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Scotiabank. Now in its third year, the Community Hero Program recognizes a young Canadian under the age of 30 who is making an impactful change in their community. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity or cause of their choice, and an invaluable mentorship opportunity with a fellow Canadian hero, to be announced.
Canadians are being asked to nominate a deserving candidate by visiting canadaswalkoffame.com. Submissions will be accepted beginning today through Friday, October 30th at 10:00 PM EDT.
In 2019, Canada’s Walk of Fame awarded the Community Hero Grand Prize to 18-year-old humanitarian, environmentalist and activist, Abhayjeet Singh Sachal of Surrey, BC. After a trip to the Arctic in 2016, Sachal co-founded the Break The Divide Foundation, a non-profit organization to connect youth around the world with one another. Recently named one of Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists and featured as one of 10 International Youth Changemakers in Canada, Sachal was recognized for his outstanding work at last year’s Canada’s Walk of Fame annual gala in Toronto.
“It was a surreal experience to stand on the stage alongside my brother Sukhmeet and friend Andrea, who helped make the vision of Break The Divide a reality. I was incredibly honoured to be amongst remarkable Canadian Inductees and be in the presence of outstanding business leaders at the November gala event”, said Abhayjeet Singh Sachal.
“This is a very profound time for all Canadians, and it is important to shine a light on our heroes now more than ever,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “We are asking all Canadians to help us identify young local heroes who are making an extraordinary difference, especially during this challenging time amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With generous support from our partners, MLSE and Scotiabank, Canada’s Walk of Fame will recognize one exemplary hero who has demonstrated Canadian achievement at their young age and continues to make a difference in their community and across the country with passion and dedication. We are proud to offer a meaningful platform for these deserving young Canadians to highlight their accomplishments and help prepare them for their future endeavours.”
For more than 20 years, Canada’s Walk of Fame has celebrated its Inductees – our country’s great achievers. Through the Community Hero Program, Canada’s Walk of Fame is providing an opportunity to acknowledge young Canadians whose actions, work, project or volunteer efforts are inspiring others to improve and advance our national identity. Community Heroes reveal their kindness, compassion and humanity with their enthusiasm for positive and essential change that begins close to home and expands beyond their community.
“In these unprecedented times, community heroes have emerged across our country,” said Michael Bartlett, Vice President of Community Affairs at MLSE. “MLSE is proud to join Scotiabank and Canada’s Walk of Fame again in 2020 to recognize some of Canada’s youngest heroes, who have helped lift up their community and contribute to the greatness of Canada.”
“Scotiabank is proud to support Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Community Hero program again this year,” said John Doig, Executive Vice President, Retail Distribution, Scotiabank. “Young people are our future leaders and we recognize that we can open more doors for them when they have the guidance, confidence and tools they need to achieve their dreams. Scotiabank is committed to helping young people across Canada reach their full potential and recognizing those making a difference in our communities through this program.“
Prizing Details
The Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to the charity or cause of their choice and two tickets (including airfare and accommodations) to attend the 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show and Gala, where they will be recognized during the national broadcast on CTV. The winner will also receive opportunities to participate in Canada’s Walk of Fame events throughout the year, media opportunities to promote their cause, including a full-page ad dedicated to their cause in a PostMedia publication, and access to mentorship from a significant Canadian hero.
