Listen to Christine’s report here:

Ontario is recognizing the lifetime contributions of 22 outstanding citizens who’ve made a lasting impact on their community. Meet two of the recipients of the “Ontario Medal For Good Citizenship” awards, a fitting tribute as this is National Volunteer Week.

“It was lovely, you know in the last two years we’ve not had too many pieces of news, so this was absolutely lovely,” Moshe Hammer.

The world-renowned violinist, teacher and friend of Zoomer Media this year celebrates the 15th anniversary of The Hammer Band, his charity dedicated to providing at risk children with music education he founded after the summer of the gun in Toronto.

“I realized one night that the words violence and violins are almost interchangeable so I made the decision that I’ll do whatever I can to take violence and turn it into violins.”

Moshe has appeared with his students at Moses Znaimer’s Idea City.

101-year-old George Markow is also being honoured. The Second World War veteran who was captured by the Nazis, is being recognized for his 100 kilometre walk at the start of the pandemic in the courtyard of his Newmarket retirement home.

 

George raised $180,000 in support of COVID-19 research at Sunnybrook and Southlake Hospitals.  The centenarian received the award on the eve of his 101st birthday earlier this month calling it “by far” the best birthday gift ever.

“It’s just unbelievable in my life to get an award like that in Canada,” says George.

His daughter Sylvia Perkins was bursting with pride for her father.

“He’s my hero, I have  great  admiration for what he’s been through in his life.”

Sylvia says at 101, her Dad is not slowing down and that giving back is in George’s DNA.

“He wants to now fundraise for the people in Ukraine that are suffering at this time,” added Sylvia.

Click here  to read more about Ontario’s Good Citizenship Award recipients.