Ontario Tire & Auto Service Centre Community News
The following news articles feature many of the community initiatives Active Green + Ross has been involved with in the past.
Active Green+Ross Community Event Sponsorships in 2014
Community center 55 food / toy drive |
Centro Communication-Andy Kim Christmas Show |
St. Anthony Feast Dinner Dance |
Shining Through Centre |
Vaughan Viking Baseball Fundraiser |
St. Margaret Mary Church - Dinner Dance Gala |
Knights of Columbus - Clergy Appreciation Evening |
Celano Canadian Club - Alpini Di Mississauga Dinner Dance |
Holy Angels Annual Garage Sale |
Toronto Argonauts Alumnai Association - 16th Annual Golf fun day |
Mothers Day Luncheon |
Toronto Ribfest - Meeting |
Holy Angels School - Spring Dance |
Famee Furlane |
Cameron Helps - Father's Day 5km |
Parkview Hills Community Association - 24th Annual Picnic |
Consolata Missionaries - Fashion Show and Luncheon |
Immaculate Conception Parish - Charity Golf Tournament |
The Country Club - Annual Veterans Golf Day |
Villa Colombo ladies Auxillary - 25th Annual Golf Tournament |
Toronto Police 22 Division - Bowling for Bursaries |
STORE 84 - Celena Cancer Fundraiser |
Rotary Club - Pickering Ribfest |
Ted Woloshyn - Charity Golf of Classic |
CitiMotive - Awards Banquet |
22 Division Toronto Police Service - Open House & BBQ |
Knights of Columbus - Seminar |
Huron Park Seniors Club - Annual Picnic |
Famee Furlane - Golf Classic |
Knights of Columbus - Special Olympics Baseball Tournament |
The 28th Annual Maroon Open |
Concord West Ratepayers Association - Annual Picnic |
Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame |
Robert F. Hall - 13th Annual Alumni Teachers - Students Golf |
Holy Angels - Festa di Maria |
Huron Park Seniors Club - Annual Picnic |
Summer Fest 2014 |
St. Andrew Bessette Parish BBQ |
Oshawa Italian Club- Annual Picnic |
Rotary Club - Peace park opening |
Rotary club of Woodbridge |
Rotary Club of Scarborough Ribfest |
Vineto Centre (IC Savings) |
Our Lady of the Scapular - Golf Tournament |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto Paddle Royale |
CIBC Charity Golf Classic |
2nd Annual Toreno di Golf Roseto |
Portofino Soccer Club |
Holy Angels Annual Fun Fair and Silent Auction |
Toronto Sun - Sheena's place |
Alternatives- 13th Annual Charity Golf Classic |
St. Peter & Paul Parish - 12th Annual in Honour of St. Padre Pio |
JDRF - 3d Annual Starlight Soiree Fundraiser |
Toronto Eagles - Dinner and Dance Fundraiser |
Rotary Etobicoke |
Ralph Chiodo Leads Donation for Student Traing Fund
The University of Toronto is creating a Student Training Fund in Otoscopy in partnership with OtoSim Inc., thanks to a $200,000 donation led by Ralph Chiodo, founder of Active Green + Ross.
Otoscopy, the diagnostic examination of the ear, is one of the most poorly acquired medical skills in students because traditional methods of study rely on lectures and print material. Using the OtoSim™ simulation unit allows students to interactively improve otoscopy skills before they reach the clinic.
Chiodo in the spotlight
Ralph Chiodo was the big cheese at last night's 28th annual Community Living Mississauga (CLM) tribute dinner. But it was his good friend Joe Falcone who bought the big cheese.
Chiodo, owner of Peel Chrysler car dealership in Mississauga and founder of more than 70 Active Green + Ross auto repair shops locations across Ontario, was in the spotlight last night as CLM hosted its annual gala fundraiser at Le Treport Wedding and Convention Centre on The Queensway.
Falcone, who sat at the head table with his good friend Chiodo, shelled out $2,000 for 40 kilograms of Parmesan during a fundraising auction in support of CLM, the charitable organization that provides support to more than 1,700 people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Mississauga.
"Ralph Chiodo is a game-changer," said Falcone, a businessman in Etobicoke. During his toast to Chiodo, Falcone cited the incredible work his friend has done raising money and awareness for good causes.
More than 400 people attended this year's gala. Proceeds will be used to pay for summer youth programs for which there is no government funding.
Chiodo said he was glad to help raise funds for CLM summer programs.
"I don't need to be honoured," he said. "But CLM does such great work in our community, I'm glad to be here."
The theme for his tribute at Le Treport was "Made in Canada — the Italian Way."
Chiodo might well reverse that description for himself. He was made in Italy, and came to Canada as a young — and poor — man in 1957. He found opportunity in Canada.
As successful as he's been in business, Chiodo makes it clear family comes first and giving back to the community is a top priority for him.
Over the years he's raised more than $1 million at Pasta Festa, for Trillium Health Centre and donated $300,000 to COSTI, an organization that helps new immigrants. He has also been a supporter of Pier One Museum in Halifax, where immigrants including him and his wife were processed upon arrival in Canada.
Chiodo has also been active on the municipal stage, helping organize the Rotary Ribfest Canada Day picnic in Centennial Park on the Etobicoke/Mississauga border, and making sure his proud heritage is celebrated at the Italian pavilion during the annual Carassauga multicultural festival.
That Italian heritage flavoured the entire tribute evening. Italian musicians greeted arriving guests, the meal and wine were Italian and world-famous tenor Michael Burgess sang for the audience.
The head table guests included Vaughn MP and Associate Minister of National Defence Julian Fantino.
A highlight of the evening was a speech delivered by Alexander De Nicolais. The 19-year-old CLM client talked about how important the organization's summer programs were to him.
"This program means a lot to me," he said, recounting how the program introduced him to zip-lining and go-karting and helped himself a summer job at a sporting goods store. His sincerity and eloquence drew a standing ovation.
Active Green+Ross Community Involvement Sept 2012-November 2013
Knights of Columbus - Sheppard's Trust Golf Tournament
Alternatives - Annual Golf classic Tournament
Toronto Sun Golf Tournament - Sheena's Place
Holy Angels School - Fall fun fair
Italian Walk of Fame
Mens Sana- Annual Dinner
Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association
Hospice Vaughan - Thanksgiving 2012 Gala
CIBPA Ladies Auxiliary
Villa Mediterraneo - The Snowflake Dance
Federazione Pugliesi in Ontario
Nexxice Gala
Holy Angels Church - Fundraiser
OLGC Staff Fundraiser in support of United Way
Ringette Canada - U19 World Championship
Alzheimer Society of Peel - Annual Walk
St. Margaret Mary Church - St. Valentines Dinner & Dance
Knights of Columbus - Community BBQ
Knights of Columbus - Clergy Appreciation Night
Autism Fundraiser
Toronto Argonauts - 15th Annual Golf Tournament
Alderwood Action After School- Sports Fund
Crime Stoppers Toronto
IC SAVINGS - FESTA IN PIAZZA
Mothers Day Dinner Dance- Huron Park
Knights of Columbus - State Convention
The Country Club- Annual Veterans Golf Day
Villa Colombo - Ladies Auxillary 24th Annual Golf Tournament
Immaculate Conception Parish - Charity Golf Tournament
Cardiac Health - Walk for Life
Abilities Center- 1st Birthday Celebration
Rotary Club of Ajax / Pickering - Ribfest
CITI MOTIVE - Awards Night
Ted Woloshyn - Golf Tournament
Parkview Hills Community Association- 23rd Annual Picnic
IC Savings- Portuguese Weekend Festival
Holy Angels / Share Life Dinner
CIBPA - Piazza Italia
MICBA - Golf tournament
Famee Furlane - Annual Golf Tournament
Robert F.Hall - 12th Annual Alumni Teacher/Student Golf
IC Savings- Film Festival
Knighs of Columbus
Huron Park Senior Club
Concord West Ratepayers Association - Annual Community Picnic
Holy Angels Festa Del Madonna
Huron Park Senior Club
Kahuna- Ride for sick kids
The young giants - Free the Children
Mississauga Italian Festival
IC Savings- Woodbridge Festival
Rotary Club of Woodbridge - Ribfest
Rotary Club of Scarborough - Ribfest
CIBC Charity Golf Tournament
Toronto East General Hospital - Danforth Dash Bed Race
Ontario Soccer Association- Kick 4 Cancer
St. Margaret Mary Church- Annual Community Summer Fiesta
The Shepards Trust - Annual Charity Golf Classic
Portofino Soccer Club- Golf Tournament
Canadian Hearing Society-7th Annual Golf Tournament
Ontario SPCA- Cash for Critters Motorcycle Run
Arizona Bar and Grill - Golf Tournament
Alternatives - Golf Classic
Sickkids Foundation - Mangia! For the cure
Holy Angels Catholic School - Fall Fair
Toronto Sun - Sheena's place Golf Tournament
CIBPA - Golf Tournament
Hospice Vaughan - Giving Thanks 2013 Gala
Springs Canada- Sick Kids Drive
G&K Uniforms - United Way Drive by Employees
Smiles of Innocence Fundraiser Sick Kids Hospital
Mens Sana- Fundraiser
COSTI’s Ralph Chiodo Family Immigrant Reception Centre
COSTI’s newly renovated downtown building will now be known as The Ralph Chiodo Family Immigrant Reception Centre. The edifice at 100 Lippincott Street was built 90 years ago, and for the past 22 years has offered temporary shelter to over 15,000 refugees. The building is being re-named today after the well-known Calabrian entrepreneur, Ralph Chiodo, president of Active Green & Ross and head of Peel Chrysler Fiat, who donated $300,000 towards renovations. The project, costing $3 million, was completed thanks to contributions by the federal and provincial governments, each donating $1 million to COSTI. The remaining $1 million comes from fundraising by several entities in the private sector such as Fausto Gaudio’s Banca Italiana IC Savings.
130 people gathered in front of the historic building for the ribbon cutting. Also present were Don Meredith, and Charles Souse, the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
“This is a big day for us. We’ve been waiting many years to renovate the centre which has been in operation for 22 years,” affirms Mario Calla, executive director of COSTI. “It was in bad condition recently. The federal and provincial governments came to the rescue, as well as, obviously, the great contribution by Ralph Chiodo and his family, and the support of IC Savings. Today it’s a safe and comfortable centre for refugees who come to us directly from the airport. It’s their first home, so we want it to be the best possible.”
The structure offers a fundamental service for those arriving to Canada with refugee status.
“This structure has 42 bedrooms and can accommodate 100 persons,” comments Yasmine Dossal, social services director for COSTI. “Refugees remain here about 10 to 15 days, we help find them a stable arrangement, as well as offer them food and assistance. We receive about 850 people a year. It took us about a year to renovate the building. We’re happy and proud of these accommodations. Anyone coming here has the right to get the best assistance possible.”
Chiodo is involved almost full time in the social services sector – with Pasta Festa for example, a charity event he organizes annually that has raised over one million dollars for the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga over seven years. The Calabrian entrepreneur explains the reason for his contribution to COSTI.
“The Honourable Frank Iacobucci (former Supreme Court judge, and member of COSTI’s administrative council) asked me to make a donation for this important building, and I couldn’t come short. COSTI represents immigrants and I’m an immigrant. Years ago I found myself having to go to school to obtain a work permit and COSTI was ready to help me. Then, I didn’t need to do that course, but either way I’m still grateful.”
As of today, the Reception Centre is named after him – a name that will forever remain in the community’s history.
“I received much in my life, and this is the right opportunity to give back a bit of my fortune to the community,” Chiodo continues. “There are many generous people in this magnificent country who deserve it. I left Italy with an empty cardboard suitcase, then I had some good luck and now the moment has come to pay back.” Chiodo admits to having gained much satisfaction from his life related to social services, and COSTI is one of these. “I had the fortune of being part of the organization of Pier 21, which has become a national museum. Then came COSTI, which gives me great pleasure, and I hope to be able to continue to help these people.”