TORONTO — Local activist Reuben Cipin was one of 20 individuals and groups to receive Ontario’s 2009 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism at a ceremony held April 24 at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto.
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan, left, recently presented the June Callwood Awards for Outstanding Achievement for Voluntarism in Ontario as part of the province’s celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 19 to 25. Among the 20 groups and individuals who received honours was Reuben Cipin of Toronto, right, who successfully lobbied for government issued photo identification for people who don’t drive.
Cipin, 81, is visually impaired and volunteers with the Toronto advocacy committee of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
The June Callwood Award – named for the late journalist, author and social activist – recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, creativity among volunteers, and Cipin won the award for his efforts to ensure that individuals who don’t drive are able to obtain a government-issued photo identification card.
At the award ceremony, which took place during National Volunteer Week, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan reflected on the “wonderful commitment of our volunteers –and how much we all benefit from them.
“The Government of Ontario believes that volunteerism is a very valuable part of life in Ontario.”
In presenting the award, Chan said that the award is for “people who have demonstrated their care and bonding with the tribe of humanity. Ontario is a better place because of all that you have done.”
Cipin was born in Glace Bay, N.S. He attended Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1956. He then practised law in Edmonton, but left his firm in 1970, at age 42, after suffering a heart attack.
He worked for the Alberta Justice Department for 22 years. He served as president of Beth Shalom Synagogue and was active with the Edmonton Talmud Torah.
He moved to Toronto in 1997 to follow his five children. He resides at 2 Neptune Drive, which in 2004 was renamed the Reuben Cipin Healthy Living Community.
Since 2002, he has served as elected president of the council of the building, which is a Baycrest Property Project Residence.
Monty Mazin, chair of public relations and the program committee at the building, said that “Reuben’s perseverance, commitment and dedication to all those who do not drive paid off with the passage of the Ontario Photo Card Act in 2008.
“Reuben is a cherished friend and I can speak on behalf of the entire mishpachah at 2 Neptune when I say that we have one of the most knowledgeable volunteer advocates that any senior residence could wish to have.”
