Halifax, NS - More than 250 guests, 20 sponsors, and 26 finalists were on hand November 6 to celebrate the inaugural GO Awards. The sold out gala event at the World Trade and Convention Centre recognized leading volunteers, innovators, and difference-‐makers in categories.
“FUSION Halifax has wanted to celebrate great people doing great things in our city since we started this organization. That is the essence of why FUSION exists. We are so proud we've been able to do it this year and we hope it'll become a 'must attend' event annually,” says Cheryl Stewart, Past Chair, FUSION Halifax. “There is something happening in this city -- a shift. And celebrating is something we should do more often -- to continue to foster that positive momentum."
“GO is about celebrating the forward momentum of our city, celebrating the dedication and drive of people like our nine winners who get out there and make a difference,” says Jennifer Berry, new Chair of FUSION Halifax. “The event brought together young leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters; you could feel the energy, the new ideas to create more momentum in our city.”
The awards portion, hosted by award-winning comedian Pardis Parker, featured greetings from Premier Darrel Dexter and Mayor Peter Kelly. Berry and Stewart were joined by sponsors in presenting the awards, designed by NovaScotian Crystal.
The 2010 GO Award winners are:
FUSION Member of the Year: Nadia Hinds for her commitment to several FUSION Halifax initiatives including the Viva City Symposium and the first Citizenship
Ceremony.
Humanitarian Award: Lisa Weatherhead for her tireless leadership and support to multiple HRM organizations and engaging others to make volunteering a part of their lives.
Urban Design Award: Andy Fillmore for his leadership and vision with the HRM by Design process.
Ignite Award: Bernard Doucet for taking the Halifax arts world by storm and engaging the community in art by bringing more youth programming into the gallery, offering opportunities for people to meet and mingle with artists, and many more initiatives.
Health and Wellness Award: Shannon Ryan for engaging community residents and numerous other stakeholders, including hard to reach citizens, to create two Community Health teams to enable people in these communities to be healthy and well.
Newcomer Award: Charlie Hume for his active engagement in the community, including volunteering with United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters and for being a role model within his workplace and the community.
Sustainability Award: Dan Roscoe for his passionate environmental advocacy in Nova Scotia, especially in wind power and his belief that there is a way to do business with community and environment in harmony with profits.
Innovation Award: Tara MacDonald and Zane Kelsall, for bringing new energy and attention to downtown Dartmouth through their successful Two if By Sea café and ‘I Heart Dartmouth’ campaign.
Metropolitan Award: Ryan Deschamps, for his leadership in eLearning, social networking and community engagement, especially around the new Halifax Central
library.
The evening featured fire breathers, live jazz, a champagne toast, six gourmet food stations including a Swedish style spoon wall, all capped off by dessert and dancing.
This year’s sponsors include: Nova Scotia Come to Life, Rogers Communications, Capital District Health Authority, Compass Group, Scotiabank, McInnes Cooper, Research In Motion, Atlantic Lottery, The Globe and Mail, The Office of the Mayor, Revolve, 101.3
The Bounce, NovaScotian Crystal, Office Interiors, Trade Centre Limited, Michelle Doucette, Fusion Print, haligonia.ca, Ticket Atlantic, and NSBI.
For more information on the winners and other FUSION Halifax projects and events, visit www.fusionhalifax.ca/go.
FUSION Halifax is a volunteer-run network of 2,400 people, aged 20-40, who are making significant contributions in building our city’s positive momentum.
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Media Contact:
Roberta (Bobbie Jo) Hawkes
902-476-4115 (mobile)
fusionhalifax.ca