Chai Lifeline Canada has been recognized by the Government of Canada with the Canada Volunteer Award in the category of Social Innovation. The awards align with the Government of Canada’s interest in promoting innovative solutions to local problems. and were presented by the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

The Canada Volunteer Awards celebrate Canadian individuals and organizations who make a difference in their communities by meeting specific challenges with solutions and support through volunteering. With a network of more than 600 volunteers across Canada who dedicate their time, energy, resources and compassion, Chai Lifeline Canada is proud to accept this award that honours our collective efforts to support children and families whose lives have been changed by illness.

Our mission to provide programs and services to families who are facing life-threatening and lifelong illness relies on the benevolence of volunteers who step in and step up every day.

When we look at our volunteers we see a true reflection of our entire community. It includes young children setting up lemonade stands, bake sales and toy drives, teens as big brothers and big sisters, adults making meals, delivering packages and offering professional support and programs. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a community to support a family in crisis.

Our volunteers, at every age and stage of life, ask what can I do? How can I help? What do you need? They show up to offer their time, their expertise, their cars, their kitchens and their homes. Most of all, they come with their big hearts and our children and families are held tight with love as they battle illness. This is exactly why we say that Chai Lifeline fights illness with love and we do it together.