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 Valérie and Sophie LeVasseur |
Sophie and Valérie LeVasseur are two very motivated sisters who are making a difference in their community in a variety of different ways.
Sophie, 16, has been heavily involved with volunteering and fundraising for many vulnerable groups including young girls, veterans and kids with hearing deficiencies.
Along with her fundraising efforts, Sophie provides comfort and support to these individuals through her volunteering. She is currently running a fundraising cam-paign to support enhanced research of heart issues at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Apart for her humanitarian efforts, Sophie is an elite baseball and hockey player. In fact, she is the first female to play for the Ottawa Nepean Canadians baseball team.
She recently received a grant to purchase electronic equipment to allow kids with hearing deficiencies to learn to play baseball for the first time.
Valérie, 13, is actively involved in organizations catering to women’s issues, beginning with the Girl Guides, then volunteering with her local church to raise funds and Christmas gifts for children in need.
She has organized social events for the inclusion of new arrivals to Canada and was part of a group encouraging young kids to take part in sports, explaining how to play and getting free equipment.
Valérie takes great pride in the sports she plays, which include hockey, baseball and swimming and she also takes part in highlander dancing while mentoring younger dancers throughout the year.
Both sisters, who are enrolled in the sports-études program at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel, have been regular contributers to the L’Orléanais étudiant student newspaper. They’ve also published several books with the proceeds going to a variety of social causes.
One of their books entitled “A little Girl Suffers from Cancer”, resulted in Air Canada donating $50,000 to the CHEO Foundation on behalf of Valérie and the book.
Other books they’ve published include “VIMY, the duty of A Soldier and of a Country”, and “Ottawa Senators, 1923, Determinations and Courage”.
They are currently working on the completion of their latest book “The 100 Most Remarkable Women in Canada”.
The publication will have a special version available in four of the indigenous languages of the 10 indigenous women included in the book which will be distributed on First Nation reserves in Canada.
For all their efforts, Sophie and Valérie LeVasseur have been named among this year’s recipients of the Ontario Junior Citizen Awards, organized by the Ontario Community Newspaper Association.
They will officially receive their awards, along with the other 10 recipients from across Ontario, during a virtual ceremony on April 11.
CANADA DAY AT THE LEGION – Canadian Legion Branch 632 on Taylor Creek Road will be hosting a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities with music and food starting at 11 am. FREE FOR EVERYONE 
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
STRAY DOG BREWING COMPANY presents Crroked Creek live and in concert in their taproom. From Montreal, Crooked Creek effortlessly blends bluegrass and country music genres. Tickets $15 available at 
