Tam Nguyen

Tam Nguyen is the founder of the charity "Canadians Helping Kids in Vietnam," which has helped build 14 schools in Vietnam over the past 25 years, earning Tam a Coronation Medal from King Charles for his philanthropic work. Tam is also a tailor and created the custom jersey for the Dale Hawerchuk statue during the 2024-25 playoffs.

Tara Torchia

Tara Torchia is the store owner of The Unexpected Gift. After her own cancer diagnosis, Tara opened The Unexpected Gift in 2015 that provides products to help others through their treatments and recovery. Through The Unexpected Gift, Tara provides comfort and safety that only a survivor can provide.

Kelvin Shergold

Kelvin Shergold is the Director of Abuse Services with Peguis Child and Family Services. Kelvin has been working within the child welfare sector for twelve years and collaborates with Toba Centre to ensure trauma informed practice is being delivered to children, youth and families of Peguis First Nation.

Michael Baker

Michael Baker is a volunteer minor hockey coach in Niverville. Michael fosters a positive and inclusive environment where all players feel valued, no matter their ability level. He teaches youth technical skills needed to succeed on the ice and the value of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

Sarah Derech

Sarah Derech is an ICU nurse. Sarah has spent over a decade working with and caring for critically ill patients at St. Boniface Hospital in various ICU settings.

Krystal Short

Krystal Short is a volunteer with Manitoba Underdogs Rescue since 2016. Krystal is the fundraising coordinator and adoptions coordinator dedicating hours to the charity in addition to her full time job. She has also fostered and cared for over 100 dogs while they waited for their forever homes.

Brooke Peters

Brooke Peters is a high school student and passionate fundraiser for cancer research. Brooke hosts an iced tea stand to raise money for local families with a child going through cancer treatment. Since 2018, Brooke and her family have raised nearly $100,000.

Mark Lawson

Mark Lawson is the president of the Keystone Rainbow Curling Club. Mark has been a dedicated leader in fostering inclusion and community through sport. Under his guidance, the club continues to provide a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQ+ curlers to connect, compete, and celebrate diversity. As the league marks its 20th anniversary, Mark’s commitment to creating a sense of belonging both on and off the ice shines brightly.

Ernesto Ofiaza Jr.

Ernesto Ofiaza Jr. is a Filipino Canadian community leader, musician, and cultural advocate. Ernesto is the founding president of the Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada Inc and has been a passionate force in advancing youth empowerment, senior inclusion, and the preservation of Filipino heritage through the arts.

Josh Pchajek

Josh Pchajek is a passionate community member who donates his time to The Dream Factory and other charities, brightening the days of children and adults alike dressed up as their favorite character. Josh has a passion for making dreams come true and helping people meet their heroes.

Annie MacDonald

Annie MacDonald is the creator of the Kids Care Café which serves hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and baked goods to support CancerCare Manitoba. With help from family, friends, and fellow young baristas Olenka, Ruby, and Hannah, this year's Kids Care Café proudly raised $3,361.05 for CancerCare Manitoba!

Dr. Kernjeet Sandhu

Dr. Kernjeet Sandhu is a dedicated physician in the South Asian community. Dr. Kernjeet is devoted to her patients and strives to support the health and wellbeing of clients and communities here in Winnipeg and in India.

David Lane

David Lane is a dedicated volunteer in the community of Wawanesa. David has devoted hours to the community church, museum, school, and rink. He has also spent hours training and fighting fires as a volunteer firefighter.

Dr. Ken Parker

Dr. Ken Parker is the doctor for the Portage Terriers. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Parker has volunteered for many hockey tournaments within his town of Portage La Prairie and coached multiple hockey teams. When he's not in the rink, he's working in the ER, OR and family practice. His efforts have inspired others to get involved and contribute in their community.

Kayden Bravo

Kayden Bravo is a young hockey fan who has faced serious health challenges due to congenital heart defects that required multiple open-heart surgeries. Despite this, Kayden's strength, resilience, and love for hockey have never wavered. Though he had to stop playing hockey, Kayden found a new passion in refereeing. While preparing for surgery and recovery, he stays involved by scorekeeping and announcing his younger brother's AAA hockey games. He is often one of the first to arrive at the arena, eager to help in any way.

PAUL MCBETH

Paul McBeth is a police officer of 25 years and current Sergeant with the Brandon Police Service. Paul also coached Special Olympics hockey, and for the past five years he has chaired the largest female hockey tournament in Manitoba, The Subway Female Hockey Challenge.

Belinda Harper

Belinda Harper is a nurse for Northern First Nations of Split Lake Cree Nation. Every winter, Belinda goes out to the streets of Winnipeg to feed and clothe community members in need. Last year, she underwent brain surgery and has now returned to working up North and feeding the homeless.

Diane Roussin

Diane Roussin is the Project Director for the Winnipeg Boldness Project – an Indigenous led, community-based initiative working towards improving the lives of children and families in the Point Douglas area. Diane is a relentless champion for Manitoba’s Indigenous people and our whole community.

VALENTYNA HRYSHKO

Valentyna Hryshko is a volunteer with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress–Manitoba. Valentyna became instrumental at the Help Centre, organizing and distributing donations and supporting newcomers. She manages a community food bank serving thousands of Ukrainians facing food insecurity, leading with compassion, efficiency, and respect.

ROBYN BROWN

Robyn Brown is the founder of Warm Boots, Warm Hearts, a boot drive that connects people in need with a pair of warm footwear at no cost. Robyn has run Warm Boots, Warm Hearts for the past seven years, collecting and donating nearly 1,400 pairs of boots to those in need across Winnipeg.

JAMIE AND KEVIN PFAU

Jamie and Kevin Pfau are the founders of Peace for All of Us, a non-profit organization that creates safe, affordable, and fully furnished homes for women and children leaving violence, youth aging out of foster care, and international students in need of support.

FAITH KETTLE

Faith Kettle is a dedicated member of Neecheewam which provides residential treatment, temporary shelter, and crisis stabilization services. Faith is a strong advocate for young people seeking healing and stability at Eagle Embracing You Lodge, a low-barrier treatment center for high-risk youth.

DAN WHITTAKER

Dan Whittaker is a veteran with 33 years of dedicated military service. Following his military career, he continued to serve through Soldier On, supporting ill and injured military members and Veterans by planning and facilitating activities. Now retired, he remains actively involved in the Veteran community as President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch one hundred in Winnipeg’s west end.

MAKENZIE ROSS-STEWART

Makenzie Ross-Stewart is a community volunteer and Leadership student with Project 11. Makenzie has presented on Project 11 in her school, helped film videos for the Project 11 high school curriculum, led a Be Well, Lead Well session at the 2025 Project 11 High School Summit, and took part in interviews with Winnipeg Jets players to amplify conversations around mental well-being.

DESIREE GRIFFIN

Desiree Griffin is the founder of Grateful Friends Animal Rescue. Desiree has fostered 500 animals and holds spay/neuter clinics in the community. Through her leadership and countless volunteer hours, over 3,000 animals have been given a second chance at life.

CATHIE MIEYETTE

Cathie Mieyette is the founder of Spirit of Hope Rescue. A four-time cancer survivor and two-time stem cell transplant recipient, Cathie has turned her personal battles into a mission of compassion. Through Spirit of Hope, she has fostered nearly 4,000 dogs and helped to neuter over two thousand more.

WADE HOULE

Wade Houle is an award-winning Indigenous educator who identifies as both Anishinaabe and Metis with roots in Ebb and Flow First Nation, Lake Manitoba First Nation, and the Metis village of Vogar, Manitoba. In 2024, he was selected to lead the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Anti-Racism Player Education Program, working with numerous teams, and over 350 players and personnel to address racism in hockey.

VANESSA MCGREGOR

Vanessa McGregor is a recreational director at a non-profit personal care home in Southern Health. Vanessa goes above and beyond to bring quality into the lives of the residents she works with. She is dedicated to ensuring all residents feel included and maintain their connection to their community.