“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

On April 5th, 2017 The Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) held their 13th annual Award Luncheon at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The luncheon is held each year to help raise money and awareness to support the services the CHKC provides free of charge to its clients.

This year, The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services and MPP for Oak Ridges-Markham, received the prestigious award for her continuous support and dedication to bettering the lives of those in the deafblind community. Since becoming the Minister of Community and Social Services, her work to assist deafblind Ontarians has been groundbreaking. Most recently, she will focus on the development of new frameworks that will result in a consistent, fair and accountable approach to funding.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D., President of The Asper Foundation, Governor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and sitting board member of The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CHRM) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ms. Asper’s speech reminded everyone in attendance of the importance of inclusivity and charity. As a special thank you Vim Kochhar, founder of Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons and chair of CHKC, presented Gail with a cheque for $15,000 to go towards the CHRM to continue to be the most accessible museum in Canada.

Hon. Dr. Helena Jaczek (left) with Gail Asper O.C., O.M., LL.D. (right) with the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the 13th Annual Awards Luncheon

Thanks to Steve Blackburn, you can check out photos from the afternoon on his website steveblackburn.com

Learn more about the Canadian Helen Keller Centre www.chkc.org

Information on past awards and the host organization, Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons www.cfpdp.com

Written by: Paula McDines

Since 1985, the gala has had over 22,000 attendees and has raised over $25 million. Thanks to Toronto Businessman, philanthropist and CFPDP founder, Vim Kochhar, The Great Valentine Gala has become an annual tradition in celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of physically challenged Canadians everywhere.

This year, with approximately 500 guests in attendance, balloons will be sold at a value of $60 in the exciting Tombola raffle. Guests can purchase a balloon at the raffle where they gain a chance to win a mystery prize.

All attendees are welcome to attend a beautiful reception before the main event where they can have a drink or two as well as mix and mingle with new and familiar faces. Following the reception, a fabulous dinner will be served promptly at 7:00 PM and afterwards a night of awards and great music presented by The Caverners, a Beatles tribute band, can be enjoyed.

After the awards are handed out and all the group photos are taken, a real party to end the night will begin where guests can enjoy great beverages, great food and best of all great company!

Do not miss this 23rd Annual Hall of Fame Induction at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Concert Hall. Reception starts at 11:45am leading up to the luncheon at 12:00pm.

Come out and support the CFPDP and the physically disabled people of Canada! All support and contributions are greatly appreciated!

Thursday October 10, 2013 was a very special day! Indeed, hundreds of elementary students participated to the 8^th Annual Rolling Rampage event on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The aim of the event was first to showcase International Wheelchair Racing and to deliver the message that sports are accessible to all.

The sponsor of the event was The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, which is committed to advancing the immeasurable abundance of skill and capacity in Canada’s disability community.

Some of the world’s fastest wheelchair athletes have showcased their talent in a Men’s and Women’s 10K International Wheelchair Road Race. International Athletes coming from Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, Korea and South Africa were present for that special event, such as Josh Cassidy, Diane Roy, Ernst Van Dyk and Amanda McGrory, to compete for $30,000 in prizes.

The Rolling Rampage On The Hill also welcomed Senators, Members of Parliament, and Ministers such as the Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal. This event was an opportunity to show how sport can be inspiring and how strong is its healing power is for disabled persons.

For more information and photos of the event, consult our Media Coverage Page