Every community has people who quietly make a difference.
The coach who gives their time after hours. The volunteer who steps up when they’re needed most. The First Responder who sees a need and asks, “How can we make this better?”
That’s what the Medallion May $6K Community Giveaway is all about.
Each year, we invite Ontario’s First Responders to share the projects, programs and initiatives they’re passionate about – ideas that have the power to strengthen communities, improve lives and create lasting impact. And every year, we’re inspired by the creativity, compassion and dedication behind each submission.
The truth is, choosing recipients is never easy. We receive far more deserving applications than we can fund, and each one tells a story of people working to make their communities safer, healthier and more connected.
This year, we’re proud to invest $6,000 into eight remarkable initiatives that reflect the very best of Ontario’s First Responder community.
From supporting youth mental health and improving firefighter safety to honouring fallen heroes, expanding hospice care and helping emergency responders locate those in need more quickly, these projects prove that even a single idea can have a ripple effect throughout an entire community.
Six Years of Community Impact
Over the past six years, the Medallion May $6K Community Giveaway has supported dozens of initiatives that have strengthened communities across Ontario. From youth mentorship and mental health programs to food security initiatives, lifesaving equipment and community outreach, every project has started with one person recognizing a need and taking the first step.
This year’s recipients continue that tradition, proving that meaningful change often begins with a simple idea – and a community willing to rally behind it.
Without further ado, we’re honoured to introduce our 2026 recipients.
Toronto Police Service
Toronto Police Service officer Cindi Pepper has partnered with R&J Stables to deliver an equine therapy program for at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 17. The six-session program pairs participants with horses in a supportive environment designed to build confidence, strengthen mental wellness and encourage positive life choices. Along with hands-on equine therapy, youth take part in team-building activities and shared meals, creating meaningful opportunities for connection and personal growth.
Medallion’s funding will help expand access to this impactful program, supporting young people as they develop resilience, confidence and healthy relationships.
Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services
Six Nations Fire & Emergency Services is dedicated to protecting the Six Nations of the Grand River while serving as a leader in emergency response training for Indigenous and municipal fire departments across Ontario. This year’s Community Giveaway funding will support the purchase of portable decontamination kits designed to help reduce firefighters’ exposure to harmful contaminants following structure fires.
These specialized kits allow crews to begin decontaminating their protective equipment immediately after an incident, helping to reduce exposure to cancer-causing toxins before they return to their trucks or stations. Beyond the equipment itself, the initiative supports a broader commitment to firefighter health by strengthening cancer prevention practices, enhancing training opportunities, and promoting a culture of long-term wellness for those who dedicate their lives to protecting their community.
Norfolk County Fire Department
Serving a largely rural community with hundreds of kilometers of trails, conservation areas and outdoor recreation spaces, the Norfolk County Fire Department is always looking for ways to improve emergency response and public safety. This year, Medallion’s Community Giveaway funding will support an initiative to increase awareness of the what3words app, a free location tool that can help emergency responders quickly locate people in need.
The funding will be used to design and install informational signage at trailheads, cycling routes and other popular outdoor destinations throughout Norfolk County, encouraging residents and visitors to download the app before heading out. By making it easier for people to communicate their exact location during an emergency, this initiative has the potential to reduce search times, improve response efforts and ultimately help save lives.
Sarnia Police Retirees
The Sarnia Police Retirees have chosen to direct their May $6K funding to St. Joseph’s Hospice, supporting the organization’s expansion into rural Lambton County with a new three-bed hospice residence in Petrolia.
Medallion’s funding will help purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and install clear wayfinding signage, ensuring visitors, volunteers and staff can quickly access lifesaving equipment in an emergency. As the new hospice prepares to welcome families in 2027, these essential safety resources will help create a secure and compassionate environment where individuals can receive quality end-of-life care close to home.
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police Association has been supporting its members and their families for generations, both on and off the job. This year, its Community Giveaway funding will help support the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation, which honours police officers across Canada who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The foundation maintains the Ontario Police Memorial at Queen’s Park in Toronto, ensuring the memorial remains a respectful place of remembrance while covering the costs associated with adding the names of fallen officers. Through this contribution, Medallion is proud to help preserve the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and support an initiative that provides a place for families, colleagues and communities to honour their service.
London Professional Firefighters Association
The London Professional Firefighters Association has a long-standing commitment to supporting both its members and the community they serve. This year, funding from the Medallion May $6K Community Giveaway will help the Association’s Line of Duty Death Committee continue honouring the legacy of a London firefighter who lost his life in 2024 while deployed to assist with wildfire response efforts in the United States.
The donation will assist with travel costs for firefighters attending the Colorado Firefighters Memorial, where they will stand alongside the fallen firefighter’s family and colleagues in remembrance of his service and sacrifice. By helping more members attend this meaningful event, the funding ensures that his legacy is honoured, his family feels supported, and the fire service’s commitment to never forgetting its own remains strong.
Kitchener Fire Department
After serving as a Fire Captain with the Kitchener Fire Department, Risk Soetemans experienced firsthand the challenges many First Responders face when seeking mental health support after their careers. Thanks to specialized care at the Breakwater Institute, Rick found the help he needed – and now he’s hoping to make that same support more accessible for others.
Medallion’s Community Giveaway funding will help support mental health services for First Responders and military personnel who may not have access to adequate funding for treatment. By easing financial barriers to care, this initiative aims to ensure more individuals can receive the support they need, fostering healing, resilience and hope for those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.
Uxbridge Fire Department
The Uxbridge Fire Department is made up of approximately 40 dedicated volunteer firefighters who proudly serve their community and assist neighbouring departments when needed. This year, Medallion’s Community Giveaway funding will help purchase new firefighter helmets, ensuring crews continue to have the protective equipment they need to respond safely to emergencies.
The need became especially clear after three firefighters were struck by a vehicle while responding to a motor vehicle collision during a winter storm. Although all three have since made full recoveries, the helmets that protected them during the incident had to be replaced. This funding will help offset the cost of new helmets, supporting firefighter safety and helping the department continue protecting the Uxbridge community with confidence.
Thank You to Everyone Who Applied
To everyone who took the time to submit an application, thank you.
Every submission shared a story of dedication, compassion and community service, reminding us that First Responders continue to make a lasting impact long after the emergency call ends. While we could only select eight recipients this year, we are inspired by every organization, initiative and individual who applied.
Since launching the Medallion May $6K Community Giveaway, we’ve been proud to invest in projects that strengthen communities across Ontario and support the people who dedicate themselves to serving others. We look forward to following the progress of this year’s initiatives and seeing the positive difference they make in the months and years ahead.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 recipients!