Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize June as Deafblind Awareness Month and to acknowledge the courageous individuals who face incredible challenges every day and continue to rise above them. The support of the charitable and non-profit organizations and champions of the deafblind community or those who support other deserving groups are essential, all the more during these challenging times.

In 2015, the Senate of Canada unanimously passed a motion to designate June as Deafblind Awareness Month. I wish to once again acknowledge and thank our colleague the Honourable Jim Munson and former colleagues the Honourable Joan Fraser and the Honourable Asha Seth for their supportive roles in ensuring the passage of the motion.

Above all, I would like to recognize the Honourable Vim Kochhar, our former colleague and visionary who is the truest of champions of Canada’s deafblind community.

In my home province of B.C., another important charitable organization that is also dedicated to helping those in need is S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Founded in 1973, it has evolved into one of the largest social service agencies in Canada. They offer a wide range of programs and services that promote the belonging, wellness and independence of all people.

For over 34 years, the S.U.C.C.E.S.S Foundation’s signature annual Walk with the Dragon has a reputation of being B.C.’s largest family scenic walk and festival, and the foundation’s biggest fundraising event for the community. This year, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is determined to continue the tradition. In spite of the COVID-19 crisis, they have worked extremely hard to create an online walk that will include an interactive map and checkpoints to bring together the community virtually for an exciting day to raise much-needed funds for their programs.

Lastly, David Wang is a young B.C. leader who founded the Social Diversity for Children Foundation, SDC, while he was still a student at Richmond Secondary School. His vision was to set up an organization that would help eliminate the stigma endured by children with disabilities. SDC does just that as it aims to empower children with special needs to reach their full potential through programs such as music therapy and painting. Currently, SDC is run by thousands of youth volunteers across the Lower Mainland who believe in the power of youth, love and compassion.

In response to the need for PPEs during the COVID-19 crisis, SDC raised funds to purchase much-needed PPEs and delivered tens of thousands of masks to care homes and senior centres across B.C. These efforts were part of their tenth anniversary as an organization.

Honourable senators, our charitable and non-profit organizations have been hit hard by the impact of COVID-19. Let us thank the selfless leaders, staff and volunteers for their immeasurable efforts to make a difference in the lives of so many people.