A Sudbury man who has devoted his time to bring together the local
Muslim community as well as co-found the Sudbury Interfaith Dialogue
forum, is one of the recipient of the of the June Callwood Outstanding
Achievement Award for Voluntarism.
Ozhand Ganjavi was presented with the award, along with 18 others, at an awards ceremony at the Art Gallery of Ontario on April 23.
Ganjavi is a co-founder of the Sudbury Interfaith Dialogue, a forum for members of all faiths to share their experiences.
"(He) has volunteered tirelessly to bring the Muslim community together, and build relationships with other agencies and community groups," the awards website explained.
This is not Ganjavi's first award for voluntarism. He was awarded a civic award for voluntarism by the city of Greater Sudbury in April 2008, according to a Laurentian University press release. Ganjavi is a professor at the University.
Some of the other award winners were a group of doctors who provide free eye-care in the Philippines, a university student who works with teenage girls to improve body image, a professor who encourages students to volunteer for under-resourced community groups and a volunteer advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS.
"I believe that one volunteer can accomplish extraordinary things and change the world," Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, said in a press release.
"These individuals and volunteer groups have played a major role on serious issues, improving the lives of Ontarians, Canadians and people around the world. They are truly exceptional role models."
In 2007, the Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism was renamed to recognize the contributions of June Callwood, a Canadian journalist, author, feminist and community activist, the press release explained.
For more information about the June Callwood Awards and voluntarism, visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.
