February 10, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Canadian Paralympians, Robbi Weldon and Marie-Claude Molnar, who won gold and bronze respectively at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, were honoured with the King Clancy Award as 900 guests gathered at The Great Valentine Gala in Toronto organized by the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons.

Now in it’s 26th year the gala is the CFPDP’s No. 1 fundraising event raising close to $13 million and has become a glittering showcase for the unheralded achievements of physically challenged Canadians everywhere.

“It’s changed the way we think about people with disabilitie,” says  CFPDP founder Vim Kochhar from Toronto, the driving force behind the foundation. “People with disabilities have so much to offer yet they’ve been marginalized mostly on the basis of appearance.”

“The Gala is a celebration of the things that really matter – things like character, compassion and community. We’ve had over 22,000 people at the Gala since it started in 1985 and active involvement from many of our leading corporations. It’s a great way to build awareness.”

Great Valentine Gala revenues have helped support many organizations, programs, services, special events and homes for many physically challenged Canadians.

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