Senator Vim Kochhar Wins CHKC Award
May 20, 2010 by CityEvents
Filed under Uncategorized
The sixth annual Canadian Helen Keller Centre awards were held Friday, May 7, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, MP was one of the many distinguished guests present to witness an evening dedicated to Vim Kochhar, Canadian Senator and tireless advocate to the disabled community.
Kochhar has been working with the disabled community since 1984. His efforts include the creation of the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, a foundation that has raised millions of dollars for the community. Kochhar is also a major supporter of the Paralympic movement and as the chair of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation carried the torch during the Paralympic Games this past winter.
On January 29, 2010 Kochhar was the first Indian-born Canadian to be appointed into the Canadian Senate.
Suhana Meharchand of CBC News Network acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event that raised funds for the services offered at the Canadian Helen Keller Centre.
Stephen Harper extended his congratulations to Kochhar via an address made by Minister Flaherty.
Other speakers at the event included: His Excellency, Shashisekhar Madhukar Gavai, High Commissioner of India to Canada, Wilf Wilkinson, past-president of Rotary International, Patrick Jarvis, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Foundation, Gail Asper of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Senator Con Di Nino and Cindy Accardi, executive director of RCH and CHKC with Larry Corke, co-chairs.
After many heart-felt speeches made by those distinguished guests, Kochhar took the stage to receive his award. In his acceptance speech he expressed his pride for being Canadian. Kochhar also noted the progress that has been made over the years to provide barrier-free and independent living for the disabled community.
The CHKC is the only residential training centre in Canada for deaf-blind persons. The CHKC services help people develop alternate ways to care for oneself, one’s family and one’s home. The CHKC also facilitates connections to peers and the community through the development of alternative forms of communication, computing and through self-advocacy and peer support.
