What is a Local Hero?

Local Heroes come in all forms. They could volunteer their time to local organizations, head up a charity of their own, help neighbours or lend a hand to strangers in need they’ve never met – the kind of people who display a “pay it forward” attitude in all they do. Local Hero’s are proud of living in Southeastern Ontario and aren’t afraid to tell you about it! They embrace what makes this area unique and celebrate what it has to offer. Local Heroes are individuals that champion locally-developed technical innovation, business, arts and culture in order to add to the rich tapestry of life in our area. They also understand the importance of buying local, whether it’s for gifts and services or suppliers for their own business needs. They recognize the importance of nurturing relationships with other individuals, local businesses and community groups to help build stronger communities. They celebrate Hamilton/Burlington/Halton as a great place to raise a family, giving rise to a whole new generation of socially-engaged youth. Local Heroes inspire others who live here and work here to lead by example and join them in their role as Ambassadors of the Community.

Current Highlight: Acura of Hamilton supports Care4

“Care4” is a fundraising partnership where consumer-oriented companies make a financial commitment on behalf of their customers in support of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.

Every purchase from one of our "Care4" partners directly supports Hamilton Health Sciences hospitals and helps us achieve our goal of Health Care, Transformed. By promoting this relationship, “Care4” partners benefit through increased sales and customer goodwill for engaging in a cause that their customers value. The "Care4" campaign extends across all sites that are supported by Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation including Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, McMaster Children’s Hospital, McMaster University Medical Centre and St. Peter’s Hospital. Donations and programs such as "Care4" support 100% of the costs to upgrade and purchase new medical equipment and fund programs for your hospitals.

Acura of Hamilton is proud to support the “Care4” initiative – raising $41, 800 in 2011.

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Current highlight: Upper James Toyota

Initiative: Race for Grace

Ilya Pinassi (General Manager of Upper James Toyota) and Jeff Urquhart (Licensed Toyota Technician with Upper James Toyota) are spending 5 weeks of their lives braving rough terrain and the unknown elements of the Sahara to raise at least $25,000 for the Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC). $25,000 is the cost of outfitting a room in the Cancer Centre. The Juravinski Cancer Centre serves as the hub for a spectrum of cancer control programs from prevention and early detection, through to treatment and palliation. The JCC is the most comprehensive centre for cancer care and research in the Central/South West region of Ontario.

With the generous sponsorship support of Upper James Toyota, Ilya and Jeff will spend no more than $1000 on a Toyota vehicle which they will rely on to get them from Portsmouth, England to their final destination of Banjul, the Gambia.

For more information, please visit www.raceforgrace.ca.