Community Builders

Merrick Palmer, one Canada’s top basketball trainers, is showing his local love for Ottawa through the work and dedication he puts into his community.

Making Voices Count, recipient of United Way Ottawa’s 2019 From Poverty to Possibility award, empowers people to use their voices to advocate for important causes, no matter who they are.

From helping Ottawa recover from crisis, to helping individuals in the community succeed and live healthy lives, Hydro Ottawa has shown what it means to be a true community builder.

At the Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala, the United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau received an award for their consistent efforts in helping to make our city stronger for everyone.

The Trend-Arlington Community Association and West Carleton Disaster Relief were two major players in the relief efforts of the September 2018 tornadoes in Ottawa. As a result, the two groups received United Way Ottawa’s signature Community Builder of the Year award.

Working quietly, Costco Wholesale has donated millions of dollars to make a difference in the lives of local children. The company is 2019’s recipient of United Way Ottawa’s All That Kids Can Be award.

Alida Burke and Corey Ellis, founders of the technology company Growcer, received 2019’s GenNext Community Builder of the Year Award for bringing jobs and healthy, affordable produce to food deserts in Ottawa and across Canada.

At the 19th annual Community Builder of the Year Awards, Erin Benjamin received the Ambassador Award for her leadership in the music industry and in Ottawa tornado relief efforts.

For his astounding contributions to building community, Steve was recently presented with a special surprise from United Way Ottawa.

Throughout the year, United Way Ottawa recognizes Community Builders from across our city. But once annually, we celebrate seven Community Builders of the Year.

Doug has made Ottawa a better place—now it’s time to make a difference in St. John’s.

Some of the greatest volunteers in Ottawa don’t know how appreciated they are, and that’s why we love to surprise them.

By day, he’s a student at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. By night, and day, and morning, and evening… well, all the time: he volunteers all over Ottawa, making our city a more vibrant place to live.

One of her greatest achievements? Distributing thousands of toys to children in need around the city through her team’s Toy Mountain Christmas campaign.

Marie Hackett is the kind of spectacular person who is both undaunted by big problems and is willing to change her life to find big solutions.