EDITOR’S NOTE: Brown’s Independent wasn’t the only Stittsville recipient at the Celebration of People awards. They’re joined by Jaimie Klachan among this year’s winners.
Jaimie Klachan moved to Ottawa in 2009 to attend university. In 2013 she got involved in the Ottawa Power Wheelchair Hockey League (OPWHL) and is currently their Board Secretary and Fundraising Director. As Fundraising Director, Jaimie is not just securing funds she is also bringing the community closer together by advocating for inclusion and educating people about para-sports. At university she was an assistant for the only para swimmer on the Carleton University swim team, and implemented a specialized swimming sponsorship program. In addition, Jaimie was employed for six years as a personal attendant at Carleton University and has continued this work off-campus for the last three years.
Celebration of People is an annual awards program and dinner event first held in Ottawa in 2001. Presentation of the Celebration of People awards takes place each year in conjunction with December 3 – designated by the United Nations as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The awards recognize the achievements and contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations promoting accessibility, inclusion and full community participation by citizens with disabilities.
Celebration of People is a collaborative partnership of a group of community organizations providing services and programs for people with disabilities: Citizen Advocacy Ottawa, Vista Centre Brain Injury Services, CNIB, Eastern Region, Ontario, The Ottawa Hospital, David Burman Communications and Algonquin College.