Look who's getting a medal!

Jim Grisdale of Sault Ste. Marie and Dubreuilville's Gaston Desrosiers were announced today as 2006 recipients of the Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship.

The award recognizes long-term examples of outstanding public contributions including acts of selflessness, generosity and kindness, and exceptional contributions to community life.

Since the medals were first presented in 1973, 368 people have received Ontario Medals For Good Citizenship.

The following news release was distributed today by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration:

********************** Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship recipients announced

Thirty-eight Ontarians recognized for their outstanding public contributions

TORONTO, Feb. 2 - Thirty-eight Ontarians will receive the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship from the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at a ceremony at Queen's Park on February 7, 2006. The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship is an official award of the Province and recognizes and encourages the virtues of good citizenship.

Recipients must have made outstanding public contributions through exceptional long-term efforts.

The award reflects their acts of selflessness, generosity and kindness, and exceptional contributions to community life.

The award consists of a silver medal emblazoned with the provincial coat of arms on one side and the trillium on the other. This year's recipients are:

(Daniel) Jim Grisdale, of Sault Ste. Marie, has been the Canadian Red Cross Branch President since 2000 and Chair of Disaster Response providing first-aid and emotional support to disaster victims.

Gaston R. Desrosiers, of Dubreuilville, is an avid nature lover who developed a trail that allows people to cross-country ski, hike and appreciate nature.

Robert L. Sampson, of North Bay, has made an exceptional long-term contribution to secondary education and health care in Northern Ontario for almost 40 years.

Luigi M. Battochio, of Schumacher, affectionately known as the "Mayor of Schumacher," has been the driving force behind every Schumacher Homecoming reunion since 1969. Gordon E. Buck, of Ohsweken, has spent his entire life educating others about the languages, ceremonies, traditions and cultural ceremonies of the Iroquois people. Norman L. Clements, of Uxbridge, is the Founder of the Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation which has given out $2.5 million and aided more than 2,500 children. Marilyn M. Cochrane, of Mississauga, has dedicated the last 17 years to raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis. Linda J. Cupido, of Burlington, is a former Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and is a passionate advocate of community and voluntary service. Dr. Hosain F. Danishwar, of Toronto, as President and a founding member of the Afghan Association of Ontario, he has helped Afghan refugees and newcomers settle in Canada. Clarence Joseph (C.J.) Dick, of Brantford, is a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and a former Brantford Citizen of the Year. Susan A.F. D'Oliveira, of Toronto, is a neighborhood activist who established the first Parkdale Neighbourhood Watch program. Dr. Budhendra Doobay, of Hamilton, is a founder of the Vishnu Hindu Mandir and the Museum of Hindu Civilization, which celebrates the South Asian culture. Laila A. Eiriksson, of Oakville, is the President of the Board of the Halton Multicultural Council and a promoter of diversity. Elizabeth Ann Grandbois, of Burlington, is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis research. Frank G. Gross, of Chatham (Posthumous), volunteered for the Masonic Order, The Royal Canadian Legion and the Canadian Cancer Society, raising $83,584 to help fund cancer research. Orvil K. Hammond, of Bracebridge, has funded breakfast programs at two local schools and the installation of an elevator at the Bracebridge Memorial Community Centre. Cornelia J. Heyermans, of St. Catharines, is a founding member of the Lupus Foundation of Ontario, and she also helped establish the national board, Lupus Canada. John M. Howard, of Vineland, created the Vineland Estates Scholarship Fund and served as a trustee at Brock University and the Niagara College Foundation. Beverley J. Jacobs, of Burlington, is a long-time volunteer with the Breast Cancer Support Services and an organizer of a "Life Quilt" that depicts the stages and stories faced by people with cancer. (Mary) Louise Kidy, of Brampton, has dedicated the last 32 years to causes in Niagara and Brampton and has made contributions to the Osler and Trillium Hospital, the Cancer Society and the Peel Heritage Foundation. Dr. Donald Kilby, of Ottawa, has worked extensively in HIV/AIDS care and prevention and has advocated for equal health care for the poor, homeless, injection drug users and immigrant populations. Debbie R. Klein, of Ottawa, has dedicated her life to raising awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis having raised more than $50,000 for the Super Cities WALK in the past five years. Sandra A. Laronde, of Toronto, is the Founder of the Native Women in the Arts and Red Sky organizations that support women artists in creating contemporary Aboriginal work in theatre, dance and music. Michael Chi Kwan Lo, of Thornhill, has demonstrated dedication to seniors, immigrants and the Chinese performing arts. He has made generous contributions to numerous not-for-profit seniors' organizations and to the Royal Ontario Museum. Bernard M. Marchildon, of Burlington, has been a community activist who founded the St. Patrick's Breakfast Club in 1992 to provide children with a nutritious meal to start their day. Joan Miles, of Toronto, serves as President of the Town of York Historical Society, a member of the Humber Heritage Committee and is a founder of the Green Tourism Association. Ashleigh Molloy, of Toronto, serves on the Board of Directors of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and the Coalition of Inclusive Education, and is the President of the Down Syndrome Association of Toronto. Margaret A. Munnoch, of Woodstock, has contributed to her community for 35 years by chairing the Police Services Board, the County Board and serving on the Board of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Dr. Jean Murray Cole, of Indian River, has been active in community cultural organizations for 40 years chairing the Ontario and Peterborough Historical Societies and several Museum and Library Boards. Kyriakos Platsis, of Etobicoke, helps to provide home support services to elderly and disabled persons to allow them to remain independent in their own homes.

Click here to see all of the other winners