1997 Award Recipients

Mrs. Anna Maria de Souza

Mrs. de Souza founded Canada's most successful and best known charity event 31 years ago, the extraordinary Brazilian Carnival Ball. From its modest beginnings in a church basement, this event has raised over $15 million for a variety of non-profit organizations, including hospitals, cultural institutions, organizations providing programs for children with disabilities, educational facilities and national health organizations in Canada and Brazil. The longevity and stature of the event, in addition to to the fact that every year it surpasses its fund raising goals, it is a testament to Mrs. de Souza's personal vision, drive and incredible leadership.

Over the course of the Brazilian Carnival Ball's existence, Mrs. de Souza has recruited, trained and motivated countless volunteer. The impact of this activity was twofold, it enriches the immediate recipient organizations by allowing many of them to develop and build their own core of fund raising volunteers. The community at large also benefited from Mrs. de Souza's commitment to philanthropic activity.  many volunteers, after participating in the Brazilian Carnival ball, went on to initiate and lead the volunteer effort of other organizations.

Mrs. de Souza's dedication to the Brazilian Carnival Ball guarantees it's place as a principal fund raising gala event in Toronto and as a result, the Brazilian Carnival Ball receives widespread media attention. In turn many of the recipient organizations experience an increased public profile which has allowed them to increase the public's awareness of their community outreach and public education efforts.