Davenport MP Mario Silva presented five area citizens and one local organization with Community Builders Awards during a ceremony held at the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club Tuesday evening."We have outstanding people in our community who do incredible work," Silva told insidetoronto.com. "We want to recognize their efforts in parliament."
Silva said he sends nomination forms out to his constituents asking them to nominate those who deserve to be honoured.
"We want to continue this on an annual basis," he said of the second annual award ceremony.
Children's advocate Virginia Novak got a phone call from the politician in March asking her if she would accept the award. He also informed her that she would be receiving an official letter as well.
"I'm tickled," Novak said. She has no idea who nominated her. "It's nice to know there's someone out there who thinks of us."
Novak's advocacy work is from the heart. She doesn't do it to be rewarded for her efforts.
"We want to make a difference," she said. "I see it's slowly starting to pay off."
Novak has been advocating for her community since 1980. Her friend and fellow activist Jack Fava was also awarded.
"He's elated. He's humble. He works really hard in the community and if there's anyone deserving, it's him," Novak said. "We're just so happy and tickled that we can make this community a better place for everyone."
As for Fava, he admitted he's excited about the award. His activism started 20 years ago when he travelled around Europe and worked in a youth shelter.
"I wanted to be a police officer when I was young," he told The Villager.
When that didn't pan out, he enrolled in the York Region Abuse Program.
"I just wanted to help out, to be a voice for people who don't have one," he said.
Fava and Novak were recognized for their work to decrease crime and improve safety in the west end; Rev. Kate Merriman for her social housing advocacy work; Tony Puopolo and the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club for providing a positive space for the children of Davenport; Nick Saul from the Stop - Community Food Centre for his commitment to providing food to those who can't afford it and Margaret Smith for her efforts to revitalize the communities along St. Clair Avenue West.
The award-winners received a framed certificate and a copy of the Official Hansard of the House of Commons on which Mario Silva's speech announcing the award-winners from Davenport can be read.