Posted on by Deborah Jones
Kidney Foundation Celebrates Those Making A Difference
(Left photo) Inside Willistead Manor after the award presentations, the families of the Alumni Award winners (names in parentheses) pose for a group shot. From left: Fran Lauzon (Pat Desmarais); Carrie Brush and Brian Bendig (Tina Bendig) and Silvana Durocher, Sophie Durocher, William Bryant, Lauren Durocher and Joel Durocher (Leon “Digger” & Jackie Durocher). Photo by Tina Huynh. (Right photo) Media Award recipient: Biz X magazine (from left) with Joe McParland, Della Jones-Goulet, Deborah Jones, Jack Rosenberg, Dylan Jones and Tina Huynh in attendance.
04
Jan

Kidney Foundation Celebrates Those Making A Difference

Happy new year everyone! I hope you are rested and ready to tackle another year in business.

We certainly, are and are still riding the wave of success from our last issue — the November/December 26th annual Biz X Awards Tribute — which went over very well.

We had many compliments on the editorial content, the printing and our impressive list of our 24 winners and 213 nominees.

We were busy celebrating the best in the biz in the Windsor, Essex and Pelee Island region, when we were pleasantly surprised to receive some good news about promotional work we do for a local charity.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter informed me that Biz X was selected as the winner of their Media Award. So while we were giving out our own awards, we received an award back in exchange!

For Your Fur Kids - Better Deal Club
Better Deal Club members enjoy 25% off dog and cat treat purchases. Become a member today and receive discounts and benefits all over Windsor Essex!

Shannon Van Watteghem-Levasseur, Fund and Community Development Officer, explains that this award is in recognition of a media partner who has delivered unique contributions that lead to improved programs, services, awareness, financial support, personal support, and/or impact for the Foundation and the kidney community.

“Deborah and her team at Biz X magazine have been avid supporters of the local chapter by highlighting and promoting our events in the magazine and on their website,” comments Michael Mastronardi, Chapter Advisory Chair. “The staff at the magazine have participated in several events such as the Six Degree Challenge (digital fundraising/social media campaign); Kidney Walks, Artilicious and most recently, Joe McParland emceed the Celebrity Men Fashion Event in May.”

Mastronardi adds: “All members of the Biz X team are always quick to ask ‘what can we do to help promote this event’ and can regularly be seen supporting the organization in attendance.”

Thank you so much Mike and Shannon for this recognition, we are pleased to support the local Kidney Chapter, which is committed to reducing the burden of kidney disease through funding, stimulating innovative research, providing education and support, promoting access to high quality healthcare, and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation.

We were presented with our Media A ward in mid-November at the Willistead Manor, 1899 Niagara Street in Windsor, during a ceremony recognizing the chapter’s volunteer appreciation awards (see photos in our January 2024 edition).

Various awards were given out to local businesses, organizations and individuals who support the cause of this charity and demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the goals of the foundation. Here are the other recipients we were honoured to share the spotlight with . . .

  • Lifetime Achievement Award (National Award): Michael Mastronardi, Chapter Advisory Chair for Windsor & District Chapter of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. Volunteer of the Year Award: Joel Robinet.
  • Rising Star Award: Tina Mac.
  • Youth of the Year Award: Katarina Thoms.
  • Community Partner Award: The Moose Lodge 1499
  • Corporate Award: Bell Media Group.
  • Alumni Award (Posthumously): Pat Desmarais
  • Alumni Award (Posthumously): Tina Bendig
  • Alumni Award (Posthumously): Leon (Digger) and Jackie Durocher

Not in attendance for the awards’ evening were the recipients for: Business Partner Award, Rob and Deb Armitage of RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd., Brokerage; Spirit Award, Angela Stewart and Special Merit Award, Angie Tuovinen.

In closing, I wish to personally congratulate all award winners and thank each of them for volunteering their time and/or sponsoring events and programs of The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter!

For further details on the local chapter and to view upcoming events that you can attend or sponsor in 2024, please go to their social media page found on: Facebook.com/KidneyFoundationWindsor.

blank
Deborah Jones

Deborah Jones – Publisher of Biz X Magazine Deborah Jones graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours Degree in Communication Studies and was employed at two other local magazines shortly after for a few years learning all she could about writing, advertising, public relations and more. She made the jump in 1998 to go out on her own to publish Biz X magazine and has worked in the publishing industry since 1990. In 2007, she earned the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce. To date, she is the ONLY woman so far to receive this award. In 2013, she received one of the first “Windsor Women of the Year” awards from the Ladies Exclusive Alliance. Her most recent achievement is the 2023 Media Award from the Windsor Essex Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Deborah is proud to live in Windsor and truly cares about each and every business and strives to make Windsor Essex the best place to live, work and play.