Volunteer Awards
The Alison Craig Memorial Fund
Created by Dale and Betty Craig, in the memory of their daughter Alison, a former CHEO volunteer, this fund awards bursaries to CHEO student volunteers, in the amount of $750 each. This fund is supported by the CHEO Foundation.
- Be an active CHEO student volunteer for the past twelve (12) months upon the application submission deadline.
- Be an active CHEO student volunteer with a minimum of 100 invested hours, excluding co-operative education hours.
- Have demonstrated active community involvement outside of CHEO.
- Applicant is to describe an individual in their daily life, who has inspired them (excluding staff and patients of CHEO), and define what they appreciate most in their lives.
- Supply two (2) letters of recommendation. One external of CHEO and another from a current CHEO supervisor.
- Supply proof of enrolment at a college or university.
Recipients of the Alison Craig Memorial Fund bursaries - 2023:
|
|
Nandini BiyaniNandini has been a CHEO volunteer since June 2022 and has invested 104 volunteer hours and counting! Nandini started their volunteer journey with CHEO’s Volunteer Resources PLAY program, providing entertainment and distraction to children, youth, and their caregivers during their wait for a clinic appointment. Additionally. Nandini has supported patients admitted to the in-patient units by providing diversion to ease their hospitalisation experience within Child Life Services. In addition to their volunteer time at CHEO, she also volunteers at Ronald McDonald House, and works at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and teaches dance. Nandini is currently studying Translational and Molecular medicine at the University of Ottawa. Congratulations Nandini! |
|
|
Celine FawagrehCeline has been a CHEO volunteer since June 2022 and has invested 115 volunteer hours and counting! Celine has been engaged with the Neonatal Intensive Care unit providing respite to caregivers and supporting stable infants under the guidance of nursing staff. As well, she is a playroom monitor with the in-patient Oncology unit providing diversion to children and youth to ease their hospitalisation experience. Outside of their volunteer time at CHEO, Celine has mentored newer university students, engaged high school students through her coordination efforts with Let’s Talk Science program, and an Honors project biomedical research with Ottawa University laboratories. Celine is currently studying Translational and Molecular medicine at the University of Ottawa. Congratulations Celine! |
|
|
Sara Di FrancescoSara began volunteering with CHEO in 2016 though to 2017 as a “book sharer”, offering children and youth books to enjoy. Fast forward to 2022, Sara returned to CHEO to support patients admitted to the in-patient units with diversion activities to ease their hospitalisation experience within Child Life Services. To date, Sara has invested 151 volunteer hours. In addition to their volunteer time at CHEO, Sara coaches Ringette and mentors newly-admitted students by fostering friendships, sharing resources to help new students transition to a new environment during their first months at uOttawa. Sara is graduating with a Health Sciences degree, with a minor in Population and Public Health from the University of Ottawa. Congratulations Sara! |
Past Recipients
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
|
2019 |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
|
2015 |
|
The Maureen Tourangeau Award
This award, presented annually at CHEO’s fall Service Recognition event, recognizes a volunteer who has invested the most hours within a fiscal year.
Maureen Tourangeau was a lifelong volunteer and community leader, with 50 years of dedicated support to CHEO. She was one of many who were instrumental in advocating community and government support so that a dedicated children’s health facility could open its doors on May 17, 1974. 2023 Recipient of the Maureen Tourangeau Award:
 |
Chris HrnchiarWe are pleased to announce that Chris Hrnchiar is the recipient of the Maureen Tourangeau Award. Chris has contributed an impressive 428 hours! Since 2021, Chris has volunteered on 5 East’s Child Life program, providing warm and pleasant experiences through play and diversion to children and youth, at the bedside, and in the playrooms, and much needed respite to caregivers. Additionally, he comforts the infants in the NICU and offers respite to caregivers. From bundling N95 masks, to assembling COVID test kits, and stocking staff wellness carts, Chris has also been known to occasionally don the CHEO Foundation Bear Mascot costume. There is no mistaking Chris’s arrival - his enthusiastic greeting and “can-do” attitude is always appreciated! We hope that honoring volunteers such as Chris, who brings warmth and smiles to all of those around him, keeps Maureen's light shining. |
Past Recipients
2022 |
| Manon McSween |
2021 |
| Hélène Rompré |
2020 |
|
Lorne Dean |
2019 |
|
Jean Haché |
2018 |
|
Rick Patch |