Two Peterborough Men Receive YMCA Peace Medal to Honour Their Contributions to the Community

YMCA Peace week is Nov. 13 - 20. This year Dave Morello of Morello’s Independent and David McNab, a retired Ontario Provincial Police Officer have received YMCA Peace Medals.

Photo courtesy of YMCA of Central East Ontario.

Each year, the YMCA of Central East Ontario honours local Peacemakers with a YMCA Peace Medal at several community events across the region.

YMCA Peace Medals are presented to individuals or groups who, without any special resources, status, wealth or position, demonstrate a commitment to the values of PEACE through contributions made within their local, national, or global community.

Dave Morello has been the owner/operator of Morello’s Your Independent Grocers since August of 2000.

Morello volunteers with and makes charitable contributions to organizations such as Easter Seals, Rotary Club of Peterborough, Five Counties Peterborough and Hospice Peterborough.

He is also a longtime YMCA Board Member and Chair of the YMCA Strong Kids/Your Y is Here Campaign.

Morello has been recognized for his outstanding community work with a number of awards, including the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medallion, Peterborough and District Volunteer of the Year, Peterborough Business Citizen of the Year, Top 20 Most Influential Person in Peterborough, among many others.

Photo courtesy of YMCA of Central East Ontario.

McNab is a retired Ontario Provincial Police Officer, Trent University Professor and community activist.

He and his wife Kristy were instrumental in founding Salaam Peterborough, a group of families who came together to sponsor a refugee family from Syria.

When an 18 year old Syrian refugee living alone in Turkey named Rashid posted a plea on Facebook he was subject to abuse and racism in the comments. In seeing this McNab immediately wanted to help Rashid to pursue his dream of studying to become an engineer.

He has been working with Rashid to improve his English with the help of Trent University by providing structured lessons and fundraising to bring Rashid to Canada.

McNab also drove across the nation in a Lamborghini to help a young cancer survivor, and has participated in the Pedal for Hope Campaign. He was also part of a massive Christmas Toy Drive for young children that supported various organizations including the New Canadians Centre.

A virtual ceremony will take place on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. via Zoom to honour Morello, McNab and other recipients of the 2021 YMCA Peace Medal. This event is free and open to all.

Click here to register.

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