On Friday, September 15, 2023, Mark Ewer, a Hamilton AM Rotary Past-President received the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility.
In an event hosted by Her Honour, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario's 29th Lieutenant Governor, at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, 15 individuals were given awards honouring the work of four former Lieutenant Governors, at the First Lieutenant Governors' Legacy Award Ceremony.
Along with a distinctive certificate signed by the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Mark also received a cash prize of $5,000.
At the event luncheon, Mark's family including his wife Mary Anne, sons Paul and Mike and Mike's partner Krista Lawrence were joined by Ruth Ann Onley, wife of David C. Onley (who passed away in January of this year), Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility and Sandy Shaw, MPP for Hamilton West, Ancaster and Dundas. Also at the table was Elaine Mamid, one of Mark's nominators for this award.
Mark also expresses deep appreciation to Rotarian Paul Lakin and long-time friend Michael Piczak who also participated in the nomination process.

Mark's Award Citation reads as follows:
Mark is being recognized for a lifetime of dedication and innovation in servicing the needs of people with disabilities in Hamilton and beyond.
As Executive Director at Catholic Children’s Aid Society for 18 years, he demonstrated forward thinking in accommodating employees with disabilities, creating a compassionate workplace that benefitted everyone.
Upon retirement, Mark brought his unique skillset to Long-term Care Centres as Administrator. His personal attention to the individual and willingness to roll up his sleeves to find solutions, stood out.
Mark has volunteered with the March of Dimes Canada DesignAbility team for over 20 years. He has designed, built, and installed customized devices; among them, a golf driving range device for golfers with disabilities, modified wheelchairs, and devices helping people operate a computer, or open a door remotely.
Mark’s ingenuity and dedication has promoted independence and improved the quality of life for so many.

