THE THOMAS SILL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

The Thomas Sill Foundation, in collaboration with the CPA Manitoba Foundation has established the Thomas Sill Community Service Award to honor Mr. Sill’s professional and charitable legacy in Manitoba. This $1,500 award is presented to up to two candidates, students or recent graduates in good standing with CPA Manitoba, who demonstrate a passion for leadership through volunteering in Manitoba. The selected recipient(s) will also have the opportunity to award up to $7,000 in financial support to a charity of their choice.*

2022 Thomas Sill Community Service Award Recipients

The Thomas Sill Foundation, in collaboration with the CPA Manitoba Foundation, is pleased to announce that Calvin Loi and Larissa Williams are the recipients of the inaugural Thomas Sill Community Service Award – given to CPA students or recent graduates who demonstrate a passion for leadership through volunteering in Manitoba.

Calvin Loi

Calvin is a CPA candidate who believes that volunteering helps to build stronger communities and has targeted community involvement with increasing responsibilities and significance around three main pillars – celebrating cultural diversity, removing barriers to higher education, and empowering youth.

Calvin co-founded the Westland Foundation’s Scholars’ Committee with the goal of removing financial barriers for inner-Winnipeg youth accessing post-secondary education and even helped spearhead LEARN.ZINE – an electronic platform showcasing community initiatives. Through this project, Calvin gained public recognition from the Prime Minister for the valuable contribution made towards Canadian communities.

Calvin has been extremely involved with Folklorama in various roles throughout the years and has chosen to support the Folklorama Cultural Preservation Fund through the Thomas Sill Foundation so that individual and cultural communities can have access to additional funding to support projects for children and young adults that celebrate, educate, promote, and preserve culture.

Larissa Williams

Larissa is a CPA student who believes that volunteering is not only a worthwhile opportunity to help others, but also allows one to grow and learn new skills.

Larissa has regularly volunteered with the Girl Guides of Canada to help inspire young girls to be independent and strong individuals. Larissa was a Guide Leader for “Guides” (the formal program for 9 to 11-year-old girls) leading weekly meetings, participating in sleepovers and planning camping trips.

Larissa also volunteered as a Therapy Dog handler at the Misericordia Hospital visiting senior patients on a weekly basis and as an Indigenous Services Canada Treaty Payment Initiative Volunteer which allowed her more of an understanding of treaties and appreciation of Indigenous culture.

Most recently, Larissa has become involved with the Prairies Region of Cystic Fibrosis Canada and has chosen to support them through the Thomas Sill Foundation to help improve awareness and advance research about cystic fibrosis which affects the daily lives of thousands of Canadians.

Application Process

The application process for the awards is administered by the CPA Manitoba Foundation.  Further information on the awards and the application process and application form can be found on the CPA Manitoba Foundation website by clicking here.

Please note the application process opens in the fall each year with awards announced in the February following.

*Please note award recipients must select a Manitoba charity that is consistent with the Thomas Sill Foundation mandate and granting guidelines.