April 2006

(Cobourg, ON) Horizons of Friendship, a Canadian charitable international development organization that supports community development projects in Central America and Mexico, is pleased to announce its third annual David Stewart Medal award.

The purpose of the award is to recognize those individuals in Canada who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and leadership in addressing social inequality and injustice. The award was set up in memory of David Stewart, a co-founder of Horizons of Friendship who passed away in 2002 after a courageous battle with cancer. He left behind an extraordinary legacy that we continue to commemorate through the David Stewart Medal.

As an organization founded on the spirit of volunteerism over 30 years ago, Horizons of Friendship believes it is important to honour exceptional people dedicated to support social justice, and whose volunteer work is having a positive impact in communities throughout Canada and elsewhere.

Horizons of Friendship invites the general public to nominate a person who they feel meets the award criteria and whose volunteer accomplishments and leadership deserve to be celebrated. We encourage people across Canada to nominate those outstanding and diverse citizens who, no matter their age or background, are setting a positive model to others by bringing about meaningful contributions through volunteer activities.

The winner will receive a commemorative medal, specially crafted by renowned Northumberland artist Frances Gage, and a certificate of recognition. The winner will be recognized at a special ceremony during Horizons of Friendship Annual General Meeting. Meanwhile, a $5,000 (CDN) donation will be made to a development project in Central America or Mexico chosen from the active group of southern partners of Horizons of Friendship. Nomination forms can be picked up at Horizons of Friendship, located in Cobourg at 50 Covert Street (Second Floor) or are available **online**. Deadline for receipt of nominations is
May 19, 2006.

Past winners include: Sheila Turnbull a longtime volunteer of Bridge Street Church in Belleville, Ontario who was instrumental in establishing a volunteer food cooperative to help low-income families. Kathryn Anderson a human rights activist working out of Nova Scotia and co-founder of Breaking the Silence Network, a group committed to solidarity work and dedicated to promoting human rights advocacy between peoples in Canada and Guatemala.

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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Farias
Community Outreach Coordinator – Horizons of Friendship
(905) 372-5483 Ext. 24
jfarias@horizons.ca

in April 23 rd Special Horizons Benefit for Central American Communities!

Kingston’s Friends of Horizons are delighted to announce that this year’s 10th Annual Literary Afternoon on Sunday April 23rd, 2006 at Kingston City Hall will feature outstanding writers Edeet Ravel and Linda Diebel and one of Canada’s best known and internationally respected artist humanitarians– musician, songwriter, activist and new Kingston resident Bruce Cockburn.

Edeet Ravel, peace activist and writer, is a novelist whose works, set against the background of the Israeli Palestinian situation, have won great acclaim. Her new novel is Wall of Light, nominated both for the Giller and the Commonwealth Prize.

Linda Diebel, Amnesty award-winning international affairs journalist is a former Washington bureau chief for the Toronto Star and correspondent in Latin America. Her novel Betrayed is about the assassination of popular Mexican human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa.

Bruce Cockburn, has been a multi Juno award winning recording artist for over 35 years, and is a member of the Order of Canada. He is the 2006 winner of the inaugural Humanitarian Award presented at this spring’s Junos by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. His new album “Life Short Call Now” appears in July.

Writers & Friends begins at 1:00 p.m. with readings, music, gourmet fare from some of the region’s finest kitchens, book signings and a grand silent auction of gifts, services and art. Master of ceremonies will be Kingston writer Larry Scanlan. Funds raised will help the many impoverished communities in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and southern Mexico who were hit hard by hurricanes, flooding and mudslides last fall.

Tickets $110.00; an income tax receipt is provided for $ 90.00 A limited number of tickets on sale at Novel Idea, Tara Foods, Chez Piggy and Renaissance Music. For more information, call 613.546.9199 and for Visa or MasterCard orders call 1.888.729.9928 ext 10.

Horizons of Friendship is a non-profit, international development organization whose goal is to help Central American and southern Mexican communities meet their basic needs as expressed by the people. Horizons’ board of directors includes Kingston residents Dr. Henry Becker, president and Evelyn Gervan, director. For information call
1 888-729-9928 or visit www.horizons.ca.

For further info, contact
Horizons of Friendship 905 372- 5483
Doreen Gorsline ext.14
dgorsline@horizons.ca
www.horizons.ca