At Allstate Canada, we value the members of our community. While we look to protect our customers from life’s uncertainties with prevention and protection products, some of our employees go above and beyond the call of duty to help support their local community.

For the eighth year in a row, Allstate Canada has rewarded and recognized employees for their hours of community outreach, service and volunteerism with our Community Hero Awards. Join us as we celebrate this year’s recipients!

Allstate Canada’s Community and Social Impact Strategy

Allstate Canada is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, involvement and empowerment for those who experience barriers to participation – whether it be within their community, career or personal life. Not only do we show this support through donations made by The Allstate Foundation of Canada, we’re also proud to empower and enable our employees to give back. Starting with our National Community Hero Award Winner: Alexis Duncan.

National Winner – Alexis Duncan

“I am passionate about being a positive role model in our community. When children watch you give, they will grow up knowing that giving back is the right thing to do.”

Alexis is driven by a passion for helping others, as she has been known to support many local organizations including Halton Food 4 Kids, Halton Women’s Place, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Blood Services, Compass Food Banks, The Gift of Giving Back and the Meal Bag Program. Alexis’s agency also received a $10,000 grant from Allstate Canada in 2021 which was donated to The Gift of Giving Back, a food drive that empowers youth to give back to their communities.

“Volunteering means a variety of things. For me, it’s teaching my children about the importance of giving back, it means strengthening my personal values, building relationships with likeminded people and ultimately helping others.”

While this is Alexis’ first time being recognized as the national recipient of this award, she was nominated by her peers three years in a row and receiving a Regional Community Hero Award in 2020.

Regional Winners

Alyssa Biloski

Alyssa is proud to support a variety of organizations. She is a board member for GenNext, a social impact movement that encourages meaningful change at the local level and fundraises with The United Way.

“Personally, volunteering makes me feel good. Giving back to our community and lending a hand to people that need it is incredibly fulfilling. If I can help individuals or families by alleviating daily burdens and stressors, I’ll do everything I can.”

Alyssa has also taken part in fundraising events with Easter Seals Thunder Bay and Kelly Mental Health (KMH) Foundation, including the recent KMH Gala and Polar Bear Plunge, and provided charitable prize donations to Caring Hearts, Northern Reach and Murillo Mutts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amanda Patrick

Amanda is extremely passionate about spreading awareness about indigenous issues and supporting related causes.

Amanda is the organizer and creator of the July 1st Run for Reconciliation to raise awareness about Residential Schools in Canada. The 2021 run raised over $5,000 in support of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, saw more than 400 people participate in the event and garnered media recognition.

 

“I learned at a young age what a difference it can make to offer your time to help someone in need. My Kokom (grandmother in cree), told me when I was quite young that ‘it takes a community’. That statement has stuck with me ever since, and I believe that every small gesture can make a difference.”

 

Amanda also volunteers with the Windbreakers run group in support of Indigenous youth in the St Albert, AB area. The group is raising funds to host the group’s first run at Metis Crossing, Alberta’s first major Metis cultural center. For Red Dress Day on May 5th, Amanda created a display of Red Dresses at a community garden to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Beauchemin and the Moncton Allstate Agency

Andrew and his agency team donated the $10,000 they earned during Allstate’s Month of Goodness Event to the Friends of the Moncton Hospital – a foundation that raises funds to help the hospital provide exceptional care and meet the community’s needs, in support of the fight against breast cancer.

As part of the foundation’s fundraising drive, Andrew participated in a Radio-Thon that resulted an incredible $85,000 for the hospital. To thank the tireless efforts of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew and his team also gifted more than 400 nurses with a Tim Horton’s gift card and sent messages of gratitude.

“Giving back to the people we share our community is what really matters. It gives us a sense a pride and joy to do our part in making our community stronger”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charbel Bou-Raad

Through the Monastere Saint Antonine Le Grand, Charbel supports initiatives that assist new immigrants in finding furnished housing and employment opportunities as well as provides support to other people in need through a local church. Andrew also helps elderly people in Lebanon who need financial support.

“When I moved to Canada in 2006, I found it difficult to be able to find support integrating into the community. I was fortunate enough to have received guidance from a fellow immigrant and since then it’s been something I pride myself on paying it forward to other newcomers.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erica McBride

Erica has been, and continues to be, very dedicated and involved in volunteering in various areas of her community.

Erica has been volunteering as a leader with Girl Guides of Canada for nine years and has helped members give back to the community through initiatives such as shorelines clean ups as well as clothing and toy drives.

Erica has also committed much of her time to sitting on Parent Councils at her daughter’s schools over the past 10 years to help engage with students and parents. Erica also volunteers with and supports other organizations, such as The Ian Anderson House, The Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children and the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Volunteering fills my soul. I appreciate the opportunity to give back to our community and help others. With the passing of my husband, my daughter and I spend our time volunteering together to give back to the organizations that have supported us.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janie Lin

Janie is an active member of her community and is involved in several different groups that support people. She is a Community Representative for Legacy Public School’s school council and participates in fundraising activities. She also supports initiatives to promote positive mental health and diversity, equity and inclusion within the school. Janie has also been an avid supporter of Markham Stouffville Hospital, through fundraising efforts such as monthly donations and the hospital’s Run for Women’s Mental Health.

“Volunteering represents the hope and optimism I have in our community of committed individuals working tirelessly to change the world so that is a better place for our children.”

Janie acts as a co-lead for a community-based group called Faces of The Heart (FOTH), which connects women and youth with resources and free sessions on mental health, financial management and personal safety. As a co-lead, Janie has helped expand FOTH’s reach by partnering with local schools, community groups and business partners to help more local families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mila Janic-Zarab

Mila is a senior volunteer with Joseph Brant Hospital’s Elder Life Program, a program that aims to prevent and alleviate delirium in hospitalized, elderly patients. This is done by providing opportunities for socialization, cognitive games, range of motion physical activities and emotional support. While the Elder Life Program was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mila sought other volunteer opportunities at hospitals and assisted with COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

“I love volunteering because it is fulfilling to connect with individuals who I wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to connect with, during a time where they often need encouragement, socialization and emotional support.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tara McLoughlin

Tara volunteers her time supporting the Lincoln County Humane Society (LCHS), an organization that seeks to find animals safe and loving homes. Tara and her husband have been volunteering with the LCHS for 12 years and have played a significant role in helping the organization find homes for dogs. As a dog socializer, Tara spends several hours a week interacting with dogs that come from difficult circumstances. Working dogs that are frightened of people, Tara helps them learn to trust humans, which can help their personalities to shine. Tara also supports the LCHS by taking photos of the dogs and updating their profile on the organizations’ website, as well as creating videos for dogs that are typically more difficult to have adopted. Tara’s efforts have helped many dogs find their forever homes.

“I love volunteering because I can help enrich the lives of the homeless dogs that come into our shelter by removing them from the high-stress environment within their kennels and getting them outside for playtime and socialization.”