MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
JIM CRICHTON & DORIS LAPICO HEADLINE THE 2024 MCC AWARDS GALA
WINDSOR, ON, Tuesday February 6, 2024 – The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County Foundation is pleased to present the 2024 MCC Awards Gala. This year’s honourees are Jim Crichton and Doris Lapico. Jim and Doris will be presented with their respective awards during a New York, New York themed event on Thursday May 2nd at the Ciociaro Club of Windsor.
The MCC Awards Gala has a long history in our community and “every year we present two deserving individuals with the prestigious Herb Gray Harmony Award and Champion Award,” said Fred Francis, the MCC’s Executive Director. “These two awards represent the hard work individuals do in our community to help make it a more welcoming place for all. Jim and Doris have worked to help others and to combat racism, discrimination, and bigotry across our region. Through their respective professional, personal, and charitable endeavours, they are both well deserving of this recognition. We are extremely pleased to present them with this year’s awards,” said Francis.
The Herb Gray Harmony Award – Presented by WFCU Credit Union was established in 2002 to recognize individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to building a more welcoming community for all throughout Windsor-Essex. This year’s recipient, Jim Crichton, has a dedicated career in broadcast journalism spanning nearly fifty years, of which twenty-one was with CTV News Windsor as their lead television anchor. Jim was born in Port Colborne, Ontario in 1953 to Scottish and English immigrant parents. Jim’s selflessness and dedication to making our community a better place is truly commendable. Whether this is volunteering at hospitals, non-profit organizations, local agencies, or other community initiatives, he has made a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals. Jim’s commitment as a volunteer with the MCC for over two decades has helped improve programming and services to newcomers in our community. His willingness to step up and make a difference, without any expectation of recognition or reward, is a testament to his incredible generosity and kindness.
In 2008, the MCC Champion Award – Presented by COGECO was added to the gala to celebrate the significant contributions made by first-generation Canadians to the Windsor-Essex community.
This year’s recipient, Doris Lapico, has channeled her passion for helping others in both her successful real estate career and charitable endeavours. Born in Switzerland to Italian parents, Doris has seamlessly intertwined her heritage with her Canadian identity. As a co-founder and board member of Transition to Betterness (T2B), Doris has dedicated well over twenty-five years to fostering comfort, care, and dignity for patients and families throughout our region. In her current role as Philanthropy Officer with the Erie Shores Health Foundation, she continues to expand her efforts to support others in our community. Doris combines her roles as an award-winning humanitarian and successful realtor to advocate for change and to help others achieve their own professional and personal goals. Her many accolades include, Citizen of the Year, A Pillar of the Community, and Italian of the Year. Through her commitment and dedication to helping others, Doris embodies all of the qualities of a community champion.
Another popular feature of the MCC Awards Gala is the announcement of the recipient for the Kathleen Thomas Inspire Award – Presented by St. Clair College. This award was established in 2022 and is presented to a Canadian newcomer who has overcome significant hardships and challenges in order to create a better life for themselves and their family. This year’s award recipient will be announced during the ceremony.
All are welcome to join our recipients at this year’s MCC AWARDS GALA. Doors will open at 6 pm on Thursday May 2, 2024 at the Ciociaro Club of Windsor. Individual ticket prices are $150 each with sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, please visit www.themcc.com or call Scott Despins at 519-551-6951.
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SCOTT DESPINS
Fundraising and Community Engagement Manager
Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County
245 Janette Ave. Windsor, ON N9A 4Z2
Tel: 519.255.1127 ext. 156
Cell: 519.551.6951
