2026 Markham Honourees Poised lovingly together outside of the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Markham Stouffville Hospital, Cindy and Ross Todd rarely step into any kind of spotlight. They have built a legacy that extends far beyond business success, rooted in generosity, humility, and a deep commitment to community. As the founders of Todd Brothers Contracting Limited, they have spent more than 45 years serving Markham, Stouffville and the surrounding greater Toronto area, g

2026 Georgina Honourees Pictured proudly, standing inside of their family-owned and run Quick Pizza, one doesn’t need to look very far to get an idea of how important the community is to Hamid and Mahdi Hemmati. The backdrop of sponsorship and community recognition plaques paint a story of their own. Hanging proudly from wall-to-wall, with ‘always room for one more’, it’s a gallery of gratitude that brings a smile to everyone’s faces and holds a space for “belonging” for al

2026 Newmarket Honourees The word “iconic” barely scratches the surface when describing the impact Joanne Sweers and Rebecca Gardiner have had on the Newmarket landscape. Fittingly, and proudly recognizable, the duo chose to have their 2026 Portraits of Giving honouree photo captured outside of the community fridge and donation entrance of the Newmarket Food Pantry’s Community Fridge. It was nearly 30 years ago that the women first met, while supervising their young children

2026 Aurora Honourees Pictured on the front porch of The Able Network, Raz and Mae Khamissa are the second-generation owners of Omar’s Shoes, one of Aurora’s proudest and longest-standing businesses that has always been synonymous with comfort, quality and community. In 1970 Raz’s father (Omar) opened his doors for business and his heart for service. Raz remembers as a very young boy, attending his first meeting with his father at Aurora Optimist Club, as well as being invol

2026 Vaughan Honourees Poised together in the sunshine, standing outside of York Region’s first residential respite centre for people living with dementia, Joseph and Angela Gulizia’s work and portrait embody dignity, compassion, and responsibility. CIBPA Place was developed in partnership with Care As One, a non-profit group, to alleviate and offer alternative support to families who may need short-term accommodation for their loved ones living with dementia. Through Univers

2026 Lifetime Achievement Honourees Legacy is defined by the impact our daily actions and our character made on others. Lasting legacy is when we leave something in people, which is precisely what Stan and Mary Neal have been doing for most of their lives. Pictured standing together, outside of the Family Meeting & Quiet Room (named in their honour) at Mackenzie Health Hospital in Richmond Hill, their eyes reflecting their pride. Both served on the board of York Central Hos

2026 Educator Honouree Pictured standing outside of Aurora, Ontario’s Rick Hansen Public School, Michael Walker’s warm, welcoming smile and playful music greets and connects with many students beyond his own classroom every day. As an educator, Michael knows that when the kids feel seen, heard and valued they feel better about themselves. As a primary music teacher, Michael made quick fun of learning more than two hundred and fifty student names using music and immediately

2026 Sports Honouree Looking at Paul Rosen’s portrait, captured rink side at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket, Ontario, one can notice many things in the image that tell stories of strength, resilience, elite athleticism and accomplishments, but did you notice the thing that is most important to Paul himself? Not the Olympic medal. Not the game-winning jersey. Not the most recently acquired (and most comfortable) leg he’s worn to date. Look closer, at the hand sportin

2026 Emergency Paramedic Services Honouree Venesse Lewis was once a little girl who knew she wanted to make a big difference in the world. Her 2026 Portraits of Giving picture was captured inside of the York Region Paramedic Services building where she serves as an incredibly passionate and dedicated Senior Policy Analyst, who’s worked very hard to advance several diversity and inclusion initiatives. In her hands, she’s holding a copy of the award-winning children’s book sh

2026 East Gwillimbury Honouree It’s difficult to tell who’s happier in Dr. Angela Smith’s portrait, which was taken with one of her sweet and furry clients at the East Gwillimbury Veterinary Hospital, founded by Angela in 2015. Her concern for the health and well-being of animals and their humans extends far beyond the walls of her clinic. In 2017, she brought Community Veterinary Outreach to York Region, a non-profit helping people in vulnerable situations and their pets ac

2024 Stouffville Honouree When most people think about starting their own business, they don’t think first about the money they want to...

2026 King Township Honouree Featured in her very own kitchen, at her home in Nobleton, Ontario, Cristiana Maddalena Deachman proudly holds a fresh tray of what she’s known best for, as the beloved “Lasagna Lady”. She’s resourceful and unstoppable – even going so far as to use the school BBQ to finish cooking and preparing the homemade sauce, meatballs and pasta lunches needing to be served during a blackout at Nobleton Public School. She’s a passionate supporter of Congenit

2026 Richmond Hill Honourees Photographed in his native work environment at Signarama in Richmond Hill, George and Mary Vasilache have built more than an award-winning business over the last sixteen years - they have created a platform for community impact. What began over a decade ago as discounted printing for Portraits of Giving honourees’ signs soon evolved into a full sponsorship, with George and his wife Mary providing all signage at no cost. Beyond Portraits of Giving,

2026 Young Adult Honouree Poised at the barre of her (almost) second home, Isabella Saverino chose to have her portrait taken at the Woodbridge School of Dance - a place she feels deeply connected to, and where she has volunteered as a teaching assistant since the age of nine, mentoring younger dancers and fostering confidence through the arts. Her ambition as a young leader and her commitment to meaningful impact can already be felt and measured well beyond the dance commun