Gerry D'Mello

Daijiworld Media Network - Toronto

Toronto, Sept 29: Veronica Miranda, popularly known as Vinnie, received the prestigious ‘The Ontario Volunteer Service Award’ recently handed over to her by Mississauga Members of Provincial Parliament in recognition for her over 20 years of Volunteer Service at the Mississauga Food Bank.

The members who were present at the award ceremony were Sheref Sabawy, Deepak Anand, Natalia Kusendova, NinaTangri, Kaleed Rasheed and Rudy Cuzzetto.

Veronica Miranda was previously awarded the Ontario Volunteer Award in 2012 by former MPP and Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Charles Sousa, the Civic Award of Recognition in 2013 by former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award in 2013 by former Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville, Brad Butt, for her volunteer work and service to the community.

Vinnie Miranda, one of the medal recipients, has been volunteering with The Mississauga Food Bank for over 20 years, primarily sorting food items on every Wednesday evening. In addition to helping with the critical function, she also lends a hand in special events such as the Food Bank's annual gala, benefit concerts and Ribfest community events. Over the past some years, she has also taken up a leadership role with the various youth groups that volunteer with the Food Bank on Wednesday nights.

Vinnie, beloved wife of Steve Miranda and mother of Vinitha, Sanitha and Savith, is very well known in the community circle for her selfless, dedicated and committed voluntary service. Throughout her life, spent in Mangaluru, Muscat and now in Mississauga, Canada, her community and church service with a smile is really praiseworthy.

The Mangalurean community in Canada feels proud and congratulates Vinnie on this well deserved honor in recognition for her tremendous contribution in serving the community.