More than 900 people raised over $300,000 while honouring long-time resident and community builder Frank Giannone at Community Living Mississauga’s 2023 Tribute Dinner on Thursday, March 23rd at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
“It was our distinct pleasure to honour Frank Giannone. Over the years, we have honoured some truly special people that have made a difference in our communities and this year was no exception,” said Jack A. Prazeres, Chair of the 2023 Tribute Dinner Planning Committee. “Frank has built visionary condos and townhouses that have transformed neighbourhoods and created lasting communities, particularly in his home of Port Credit.”
While the initial cheque presentation showed, $280,000, a couple of very generous, last-minute donations raised the proceeds from the evening to over the $300,000 mark.
The evening was filled with entertainment, with performances by Little Peter and the Elegants, reception music by violinist, Grenville Pinto, as well as stories from guest speakers Don McVie, Harry Herskowitz, Peter Saturno and Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
Now in its 36th year, the annual Tribute Dinner raises much needed funds to provide opportunities for children and teens who have an intellectual disability to attend community-based recreational programs.
Durrell, Jennifer and Kevin Martin shared their family’s experiences with these programs and demonstrated the impact that funds raised at previous Tribute Dinners have on people supported by Community Living Mississauga.
“For Kevin, a huge part of his life has been attending camp each summer,” explained Mr. Martin. “Over the years we have seen his growth from being withdrawn and having little interaction with others to an outgoing social butterfly who loves to meet new people and chats with everyone that crosses his path.”
Community Living Mississauga’s goal is to use the funds from this year’s Tribute Dinner towards support for 200 children and youth who will be able to participate in recreational programs this year.
From Celebration Square to heritage sites across Mississauga. If you drive through our city, you have likely seen the influence of Mr. Giannone.
He is the founding director of the Port Credit Community Foundation – a charitable organization which has been instrumental in helping to fund a number of community events such as the Waterfront Festival, Paint the Town Red, the Southside Shuffle and many other events. Mr. Giannone is a former President of the Toronto Home Builder’s Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OBHA), which recently presented him with the 2019 OHBA Lifetime Achievement Award. Named one of Mississauga’s Most Influential People by The Mississauga News in 2013, he recently completed a nine-year stint on the Board of the Tarion Warranty Corporation
The 2023 Community Living Mississauga Tribute Dinner was made possible thanks to a number of community partners, including Diamond Sponsors, LiUNA Local 183 and Masters Insurance.