MCC named recipient of international award

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 23 September 2000

AKRON, Pa. -- Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has been named this year's recipient of an international award given for outstanding humanitarian contributions.

The St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation announced during a news conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on Sept. 20, that MCC is the recipient of its 2000 International Award.

Past recipients of the award include such well-known international figures as Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Andrei Sakharov, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dr. Jonas Salk, Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh), Rosalynn Carter, and Jose Carreras. The award is not given annually but when a deserving recipient is found. The last award was given four years ago.

"This award is a tribute to the strong sense of service among the thousands of volunteers who have worked with MCC over the past 80 years," Ron Mathies, MCC Executive Director said. "It is also recognition of the wide scope of MCC's work which is done in almost 60 countries around the world."

St. Boniface General Hospital, western Canada's first hospital, was founded in 1871 by the Grey Nuns, a religious congregation inspired by Saint Marguerite d'Youville. The Research Foundation was established in 1971 to raise and distribute funds for health care research in Manitoba.

During the press conference, Sister Faye Wylie, the provincial superior of the Grey Nuns in Manitoba, explained why the awards are important to the hospital community.

"We all know how important light from the sun is for growth and life. Flowers and other plants need it," Sr. Wylie said.

"Each one of us has inside us a gift or talent which when properly directed brings life and hope to those around them. The international award is given to those who use their gift to make a better world."

With the award, the Hospital Foundation focuses the light of publicity on the recipients so that their beauty is recognized and an inspiration to others, she said.

In making the announcement, Bill Norrie, a former mayor of Winnipeg, said "The contributions MCC has made to the betterment of society on a global scale is absolutely second to none. Given the criteria for the award, MCC is a perfect fit and it makes it even more gratifying to be able to present the award to an organization that has such strong ties right here in Manitoba." Norrie is currently the chair of the St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation.

Mathies said the award indicates the strong support and goodwill of the Canadian public toward MCC.

The 2000 International Award will be presented to MCC during the 2000 International Award Dinner to be held on November 16, 2000 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org