Inaugural honour to annually recognize an everyday Canadian hero at Canada's Walk of Fame celebrations in Toronto

- Submissions for the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour, presented by Canada's Walk of Fame, will be accepted until July 31 -

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TORONTO, June 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's Walk of Fame today announced the launch of the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour - a new initiative that annually recognizes a special Canadian whose outstanding work in the arts, culture or sports positively impacts their community and inspires the next generation.

Canadians from coast-to-coast and around the world can submit their nominations year-round through the Canada's Walk of Fame website at www.canadaswalkoffame.com or by mail. The deadline for submissions to be eligible for this inaugural honour is Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm ET. Complete eligibility and criteria are available online.

"We created this recognition, in honour of our Founding Director, Peter Soumalias, to pay tribute to his dedication and commitment in celebrating Canadian excellence," said Melanie Hurley, CEO, Canada's Walk of Fame. "Each year, we will tell the story of an unsung Canadian who is making a difference and whose work, project or volunteer efforts related to the arts, culture or sports serve as a model in their community. We want to recognize these unheralded heroes and inspire others in the process."

"Since it began in 1998, Canada's Walk of Fame celebrates renowned Canadians who have excelled in their careers and whose stories also inspire fellow Canadians. I am very pleased that the scope of the organization is now expanding to commemorate the unsung heroes across the country that selflessly make a difference in their community, and I'm humbled to be honoured in this way," said Peter Soumalias, Founding Director, Canada's Walk of Fame.

Chosen by the Board of Directors, the annual recipient will be announced in the fall and will receive a $5,000 honorarium and a trip to Toronto to experience the 2015 Canada's Walk of Fame Celebration Events on Saturday, November 7, 2015, where they will be honoured for their achievements.

The Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour is part of a series of national programs and events that include the Emerging Artist Music Mentorship Program supported by RBC, the Canada's Walk of Fame Festival, the Canada's Walk of Fame Red Carpet, Inductee Charity Ball and the Canada's Walk of Fame televised show, which is broadcast nationally on Global.

Funding for the Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour has been generously provided in part by Gary Slaight, with additional support from Randy Lennox, Dan McGrath, Walter Schneider, Lewis Rusen, Bruce Rothney and Jack Tomik.

Canada's Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2015 National Sponsors: Cineplex Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Slaight Communications and Air Canada.

About Canada's Walk of Fame
Established in 1998, Canada's Walk of Fame (CWOF – Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001) celebrates the achievements of Canadians who have excelled in their respective professional fields in order to engage and inspire the next generation. In 2010, CWOF expanded to include a festival featuring some of Canada's most popular and iconic performers, as well as emerging artists from across the country. The annual celebration culminates in a televised special that celebrates the achievements of Canada's finest stars. To date, Canada's Walk of Fame has 157 inductees, each immortalized with their names forever cemented into the sidewalks of Toronto's Entertainment District. For a complete list of inductees along with more information on Canada's Walk of Fame visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com.

SOURCE Canada's Walk of Fame

Adrienne Kakoullis, Holmes PR, 416-628-5610 / [email protected]