The Casey Awards
 June Callwood | The Casey Awards celebrate the life and memory of esteemed journalist, author and activist June Callwood, the founder of Casey House, whose six decades of activism spanned a myriad of causes, from poverty and illness to freedom of expression, to women and children in crisis. June Callwood passed away in April of 2007 and is deeply missed by the Casey House community. |
On March 1, 2008 at the annual gala SnowBall 2008 | Passion, four inaugural recipients of The Casey Awards were recognized for their leadership in the fields of HIV/AIDS and social justice. The night also marked the 20th anniversary of Casey House, and the selection committee was comprised of the 20th anniversary committee, chaired by long-time Casey House volunteer Pearse Murray.
Following is an excerpt from the speech delivered by Jack Manchester, grandson of June Callwood, on behalf of her family upon accepting the award in June's memory:
"...If my grandmother could be here
tonight, she would most certainly be expressing her gratitude to
everyone here honouring her, not just with the recognition of this
award but with the contribution of their time and their support towards
this cause so dear and so necessary and important to her.
The drive behind Casey House from all its many contributors --including my grandmother-- did not come from elite education, nor some saintly wisdom, nor an ambition for gain. Quite the contrary, it was simply within their humanity to recognize a group of people needing to be reminded with kindness that they are important, and that they are not alone. Resplendent in the people that keep Casey House a beautiful place today is that same human kindness that can not help but improve the subjective Earthly experiences of anyone it touches.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for remembering her and for keeping this legacy alive."
The drive behind Casey House from all its many contributors --including my grandmother-- did not come from elite education, nor some saintly wisdom, nor an ambition for gain. Quite the contrary, it was simply within their humanity to recognize a group of people needing to be reminded with kindness that they are important, and that they are not alone. Resplendent in the people that keep Casey House a beautiful place today is that same human kindness that can not help but improve the subjective Earthly experiences of anyone it touches.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for remembering her and for keeping this legacy alive."
| Criteria for the awards require that recipients’ actions reflect the
characteristics and values embodied by June Callwood, including: •Pioneering spirit •Leadership •Compassion •Collaborative approach •Volunteerism •Generosity •Advocacy for the dignity & respect of the individual |  Pearse Murray, Chair of Casey House's 20th Anniversary Committee |
The Casey Awards will be presented annually. The inaugural 2008 recipients were:
 June Callwood's award was accepted in memoriam by June Callwood’s husband Trent Frayne and grandson Jack Manchester | June Callwood -
Esteemed journalist, author and activist June Callwood inspired
Canadians for more than six decades through her words and actions. One
of the most exceptional and respected voices in Canada, Callwood was a
proud career journalist and writer who won acclaim and a loyal
following for her writing in newspapers and magazines. After
participating in the palliative care team for a friend dying of cancer,
Callwood became interested in advocating for the rights of people who
are dying, setting her on the course to establish a place of medical
excellence as well as love and compassion in the treatment of HIV/AIDS,
then ravaging the gay community in Toronto. Named for her son who was
killed by a drunk driver, Casey House opened in 1988 as one of the
world’s first free-standing hospices for people with HIV/AIDS. June’s
lifelong passion for advocating for the rights of all people to lives
of safety and dignity also extended to numerous other causes, including
poverty, illness, freedom of expression, diversity and women and
children in crisis. June passed away in April 2007. |
 Presented by SnowBall 2008 Honourary Co-Chair Valerie Pringle, the award for Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan was accepted by Frank Angelo’s sister Carmen Kent and niece Lisa Kent | Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan – From the first days of M•A•C, company co-founders Frank Angelo and Frank Toskan incorporated a sense of social responsibility to the community in their internationally successful cosmetics enterprise. They were pioneers of industry in offering AIDS-related fundraising programs, environmental initiatives and cruelty-free manufacturing policies. In 1994, as AIDS spread across the globe, they searched for a way to respond to the epidemic, eventually creating the M•A•C AIDS Fund, with the full support of their employees. Since that time, all retail sales from the highly successful Viva Glam lipstick have gone to the Fund, which recently surpassed the $100 million mark. In 1997, Frank Angelo died suddenly, and in 1998, M•A•C was sold to Estée Lauder. Since leaving M•A•C, Frank Toskan has worked with his sister Julie in establishing the Toskan Casale Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting and strengthening community-based social programs and organizations. |
 SnowBall 2008 Honourary Co-Chair Salah Bachir presented the award to Joan Anderson | Joan Anderson - a committed social justice activist and tireless leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Joan Anderson became involved in the gay rights struggle in support of friends in the 1970’s. Beginning with the Canadian Gay Archives (now the Lesbian & Gay Archives) and continuing with the Body Politic Free the Press Fund, Anderson was a long-time volunteer with the AIDS Committee of Toronto, eventually becoming Chair. She helped found the Ontario AIDS Network and the Canadian AIDS Society, chairing the latter form 1989 to 1993. Anderson advocated for the first National AIDS Strategy, and helped to align the Canadian AIDS Society lobbying strategy with AIDS ACTION NOW! demonstrations. She was a delegate to the meeting at which the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations was founded. Joan also played a role in the development of Casey House as one of ACT’s members on the Steering Committee, and served on the Real Estate and Program Committees, working alongside June Callwood and Jim Shea. In 1994, Joan became Director of Education and Advocacy at ACT, and served for a time as Interim Executive Director. Since 1999, Joan has worked as a consultant, including for the AIDS 2006 Toronto Local Host Committee. She is currently Vice Chair of the 519 Community Centre. |
For more information about The Casey Awards, please contact David Gilmer, Casey House Chief Development Officer, at 416-962-7600 x230.