Media Advisory - Governor General to Present Honours in Montréal

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present a Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division) to Mr. Pernell-Karl (P.K.) Subban and the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers to 12 deserving individuals from the Montréal region. The ceremony will take place in the P.K. Subban Atrium of the Montreal Children's Hospital, on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.

About the Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division)
The Meritorious Service Decorations were established to recognize the extraordinary people who make Canada proud. Their acts are often innovative, set an example or model for others to follow, or respond to a particular challenge faced by a community. Recipients inspire others through their motivation to find solutions to specific and pressing needs or provide an important service to their community or country. For more information or to nominate a great Canadian, visit www.merit.gg.ca.

About the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers
The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of individuals from across the country in a wide range of fields. As an official Canadian honour, the Medal pays tribute to the dedication and exemplary commitment of volunteers. For more information or to nominate a deserving volunteer, visit caring.gg.ca.

Media must arrive at the Main Entrance of the Montreal Children's
Hospital no later than 10:00 a.m.

Pernell-Karl Sylvester Subban, M.S.C.
Nashville, Tennessee and Toronto, Ontario
Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division)

A member of the board of directors of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and spokesman for the Montreal Children's Hospital, hockey defenceman Pernell-Karl (P.K.) Subban made the largest-ever donation by a professional athlete in Canadian history. Working with the hospital, he created P.K.'s Helping Hand, a fund dedicated to supporting families struggling financially as a result of their child's illness. His generous gift stands as an example of how professional athletes can positively change lives in their communities.

As the lead volunteer with the Club des petits déjeuners at École Hubert-Perron over the past
20 years, Lucie Bombardier has logged 3 200 mornings, 9 600 hours and more than 256 000 breakfasts served. Her warmth, dedication and effort have placed children in a better position to succeed at school and in their community.

In addition to helping the poor in India and Africa, Glynis Jenkins is a founder and director of Montréal's Extended Hands, a food bank and kitchen serving the community of Lachine. Under her management, its programs have grown to include clothing and furniture distribution throughout the city.

For the past three decades, Lise Gauthier has been volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, where she is a master instructor. Her ongoing efforts, notably the numerous training courses she offers free of charge, contribute to the prevention of cardiac injuries and illnesses, and to the development of emergency medical care.

Marc-André Gélinas has brought his enthusiasm and expertise to various economic, social, youth, municipal and humanitarian organizations. His work as a mentor with Futurpreneur, with the Red Cross, or with municipal youth and urban planning groups, demonstrates the breadth of his commitment.

Louis-Gabriel Girard is a student involved in both his school and community. He was part of an international co-operation trip to Ecuador and has more recently taken part in activities organized by Groupe HumaniTerre, which helps those most in need, notably by raising funds to support refugees in Kenya.

Since retiring in 1998, Sister Virginia has given of her time and attention to those in need in the Montréal community. She has helped shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, shepherd the ailing to medical appointments, and bring comfort to critically ill infants and their parents during difficult times.

For 25 years, Guy Lapointe has been responding to emergencies and helping to save lives as an active member of search and rescue groups. His work has ensured new generations of volunteers are well trained and has strengthened collaboration among emergency services personnel.

Since 1996, Jean-Marie Lapointe has improved his community through his work with a number of causes. He has been a volunteer and spokesperson for Défi sportif AlterGo since 2002, has provided support to terminally ill children through Leucan, and was closely involved in establishing la Maison l'Éclaircie, where he continues to serve as spokesperson.

For over 15 years, Martin Lessard has been involved with the Canadian Organ Donors Association. As coordinator of the police volunteers serving the Montréal area, he ensures the transport of organs, tissues and medical teams between hospitals or from the airport to collection or transplant centres in Quebec.

Carol Manning has helped foster a culture of caring at Selwyn House School by encouraging students to volunteer at the Christ Church Hospital in Montréal, where she has been serving meals to the city's homeless population for the past 18 years. She also oversees a number of student-led initiatives, most notably donation drives to the NDG Food Depot, a local food bank.

Emma Prat has been involved in her community for as long as she has been in school. She supports a number of causes that are dear to her, including an elementary school's breakfast club, a fundraiser to help disaster victims in Nepal, and Groupe HumaniTerre, which organizes various activities to support those most in need.

An active member of the volunteer board of the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation since 2005, Dr. Nicolas Steinmetz has held various executive positions including that of chair. His leadership and dedication were instrumental in realizing the capital campaign goal of $100 million, and in uniting pediatric and adult health care on one site.

For further information: Media information: Melanie Primeau, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, 613-618-2691 (cell), melanie.primeau@gg.ca; For questions related to ceremony logistics: Séverine Defouni, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, 514-934-4846, ext. 29238, sdef@fhme.com

Media Advisory - Governor General to Present Honours in Montréal

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