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A Day of Celebration!

June 16, 2010, was a day of celebration at Holland Bloorview.  The day began with the public announcement of Bill and Susanne Holland’s unprecedented donation of $20 million to Holland Bloorview. This donation is in addition to the $6.2 million they have already donated – for a total contribution of $26.2 million to Holland Bloorview.  At the announcement, we also shared our new name, the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.    

In the evening, Holland Bloorview’s annual Celebration of Excellence in

childhood disability was held.  The event included an overview of Holland Bloorview’s achievements over the past year and the presentation of the Circle of Honour Awards.  The 11th annual Circle of Honour awards were presented by Carolyn Everson of the Board of Trustees and Nik Tolgyesi, a former inpatient at Holland Bloorview. 

The Circle of Honour awards are Holland Bloorview’s highest honour - recognizing contributions to the field of childhood disability.  Each year, awards are presented to individuals, organizations, teams, or groups in the areas of advocacy, education, philanthropy, research and service related to children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care.  This year, we have three truly inspirational recipients who have demonstrated their passion and dedication in the areas of advocacy, philanthropy and service.

Holland Bloorview’s own Louise Kinross was recognized for her work in the area of advocacy. As Communications Manager at Holland Bloorview and a parent of a child with a disability, Louise Kinross is the editor of BLOOM Magazine – our biannual how-to magazine on parenting children with disabilities.  Parents have heralded BLOOM as cutting-edge - filling a gap in mainstream parenting media. This advocacy tool uniquely covers diverse topics with parent voices from around the world, promoting the concept that every child "blooms" in his or her own way. Through her immense passion, creativity, enthusiasm and hands-on knowledge, Louise has succeeded in empowering families, advocating for children with disabilities and mobilizing rehabilitation professionals at Holland Bloorview and beyond.

Ron Kimel and family, well-known Toronto philanthropists and community leaders, were presented with the award in area of philanthropy to acknowledge their generous and dedicated donations of time and funds to the cause of childhood disability.  The Kimel family, through the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, established two scholarships with the University of Toronto. These endowments are helping to develop an international community of highly-skilled rehabilitation specialists who will advance care, research and education in the field of childhood disability for generations to come.  The Kimel family’s financial support and volunteerism is a strong testament to their passion and commitment to enabling countless children and youth with disabilities and their families to live life to the fullest.

Vicki Keith, world-renowned marathon swimmer and record-holder, received her award in the area of service for her tireless efforts for inclusion of children with disabilities while promoting their participation and excellence in sport. Vicki Keith is the founder of the Y Knot Abilities Program, which enables youth with physical disabilities to participate together in sport and recreation with their able-bodied siblings.  She is also coach of the Kingston Y Penguins swim team. Developed in partnership with the Kingston Family YMCA, the Y Knot Abilities Programs are spreading across Ontario and beyond.  Vicki has pushed the limits of what was thought possible by getting her swimmers to able-bodied meets where they’ve earned the respect of their peers through their athleticism and heart.

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