Dave Smith
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Table of Contents
A life with purpose................................................................... 4
Biographical sketch of David Smith
Causes close to the heart.................................................... 6
Most outstanding accomplishments
Business interests and achievements..............................15
Milestones in an outstanding entrepreneurial career
Philanthropic interests and board memberships...... 16
More than 50 organizations have benefitted from David Smith’s support
Awards and distinctions...................................................... 18
34 major awards for devotion to charitable causes
The Hon. Kathleen Wynne
“No person was ever
honored for what he
received. Honor has
been the reward for
what he gave.”
– Calvin Coolidge
honourary Colonel
of the Canadian Armed Forces
A life with purpose
Dr. Dave Smith C.M., O.Ont, M.M.L.J., D.U., LL.D.
David Smith was born humbly enough. His Russian-Jewish immigrant
parents settled in Canada not long before he was born to give their
children a better future. Raised in Ottawa all his life, David learned a
strong work ethic at his father’s shoe repair store in Lowertown alongside
his 12 brothers and sisters.
Growing up, he learned from his parents the value of community and
the importance of giving to the most disadvantaged among us. Today,
David is best known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist with boundless
enthusiasm and unshakable faith in humankind.
David has a unique gift for gathering like-minded people around an issue
or cause that involves improving the lives of others. Over several decades,
he has raised over $150 million for the local, national and international
causes he represents.
Over several
decades, David
has raised over
$150 million for
local, national and
international causes.
4
In addition to his charitable works, David has built a successful string
of catering and restaurant businesses in Ottawa, Florida and California.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and philanthropists often look to David for
guidance and advice. He never turns them away.
The following pages highlight a few of the projects and causes closest
to David’s heart. They also highlight the extent of his volunteerism and
entrepreneurial skill.
As you read on, consider visiting the websites we have listed and extending
your generosity. As David can tell you first-hand, giving feels great.
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
– Booker T.Washington
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Causes close to the heart
Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
One of David’s proudest achievements was the
establishment in the early 1990s of Ottawa’s first
addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre dedicated
to young people between the ages of 13 and 18.
After receiving a frantic call from a friend whose son
was addicted to drugs, David became frustrated that no
treatment facility existed in Ottawa for youth struggling
with addictions. As usual, David took action where he
saw a need. After several years of advocacy and dogged
persistence the David Smith Youth Centre opened its doors.
As of January 2011, the centre remained Eastern Ontario’s
only day treatment facility for youth who struggle
with addiction and mental health issues. A full range of
evidence-based outpatient programs and services are
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provided to help youth and parents progress through the
treatment continuum, all in a supportive environment.
The centre serves more than 700 individuals annually.
Expanded horizons
From the outset, David envisioned a residential
treatment centre for youth, but the necessary funding
took several years to materialize. Dave and his team at
the centre first secured funding to open two facilities: a
14-bed facility for males aged 13 to 21 and a 10- to 12bed facility for girls aged 13 to 21. The locations, which
opened in summer 2010, are called the Dave Smith
Residential Centre Carleton Place Campus, and the
Dave Smith Residential Centre Carp Campus.
“Dave was integral to making it all happen.
The opening of the residential facilities represents
the realization of a great deal of hard work
and dedication on his part.”
– Mike Beauchesne, Executive VP
Since then, David and his team have managed to
raise a further $5.5 million of the $9 million needed
to build yet another residential facility—this one
with 30 beds. As of summer 2012, soil tests were
being carried out so that construction could begin.
The new building, which will house boys and girls
aged 13 to 21, will be located at the Carp Campus.
“Dave was integral to making it all happen,” says
Mike Beauchesne, Executive Vice President, Clinical
Services at the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre.
“The opening of the residential facilities represents
the realization of a great deal of hard work and
dedication on his part.”
To learn more or to
make a donation, visit
www.davesmithcentre.org
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Davis Inlet project
David’s caring extends well beyond his Ottawa
community. He was one of the first individuals to
recognize publicly and address the hopelessness and
sense of defeat suffered by the young people of Davis
Inlet, Labrador. Davis Inlet is a remote northern
settlement that suffers severely from high unemployment
and a lack of social programs.
David conceptualized and launched the not-for-profit
organization SONG (Save Our Native Grandchildren).
This national fundraising initiative aims to build a $2.2
million multi-purpose sports facility and drug and
alcohol treatment centre in Davis Inlet.
Serenity Renewal
for Families
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Always willing to lend a hand to organizations that battle
addictions, David is an active board member on behalf
of Serenity Renewal for Families. Serenity Renewal is a
non-denominational, charitable organization that helps
families facing the challenges of addictions and addictive
behaviours.
Serenity Renewal helps more than 2,500 individuals
every year, offering clients the tools and guidance they
need to change lives for the better.
Youth
training centre
When David visited a former convention centre
in Atikokan, Ontario, about 200 km west of Thunder
Bay, he saw a chance to provide new opportunities for
local youth.
The town of Atikokan may become the centre for
hundreds of new jobs in the next few years if companies
proceed with plans to undertake iron and gold mining
in the area. New operations would necessarily lead to
new housing construction, a need for heavy equipment
operators and much more. David reasons that the
convention centre, which has 100 bedrooms, a gym,
a freshwater treatment system and all other necessities
for supporting a large group, could be used as a
training centre for local youth as mining operations
get underway. Plans are underway.
Reach Canada
Reach Canada is an organization of lawyers working for
free to help people with all disabilities. David sits on its
board of directors and also runs its yearly auctions. Reach
lawyers help people with disabilities resolve their legal
issues, providing clients with several hours of free service.
The organization also links its clients with the community
resources they need to lead healthier, better lives. Reach
Canada’s work includes organizing educational workshops
and seminars on disability issues, and conferences on
mental health issues, AIDS and living with disabilities.
For more information, visit:
www.reach.ca
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Skills training for Ottawa youth
David has always recognized a critical need to ensure
young people receive training to succeed in an increasingly
competitive, skills-oriented workforce.
In the mid-1990s, David noticed a gap in Ottawa’s training
infrastructure. The city needed a skills-training facility for
young people not interesting in pursuing computer-related
careers. David’s unconventional approach to addressing
Ottawa’s gap in vocational education was considered
‘daring’ at the time. He set out to find a central Ottawa
location for a school and settled on McArthur Road High
School, which had been closed due to lack of enrollment.
In 1996, the Ottawa Technical Learning Centre (OTLC)
opened with a “Learn To Earn” training program. The
highly successful school is the daily destination for more
than 900 students enrolled in a range of courses they
cannot find elsewhere in Ottawa.
The OTLC model has been so successful that Afghanistan,
and countries in west Africa and south Africa have studied
it and applied the same concept.
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For more information about
OTLC, visit www.otlc.ocdsb.ca
Bringing clean water
to the world
For more than 20 years, David has devoted much energy to raising funds
for WaterCan, a Canadian charity that fights global poverty by helping
the world’s poor gain access to clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene
education. Every year, WaterCan hosts a ‘potluck’ meal that includes roughly
50 embassies located in Ottawa. David and his catering team spend a day
and a half setting up Lansdowne Park’s Aberdeen Pavilion for the meal, in
which each embassy makes a contribution of food that represents its home
country. The events sells hundreds of tickets, the proceeds from which are
used to help communities in rural Africa gain access to clean water. The event
includes an auction, which David runs with his usual charismatic style.
Adeste
Adeste is an organization that honours everyday heros
around the world who are looking to make a difference.
David has been associated Adeste for more than
20 years. He became involved through President
Emeritus of Air Canada Claude I. Taylor, who asked
David if he would join the board of directors.
The Door
David spearheaded the
development of an innovative
concept entitled The Door. The
project’s mandate is to stimulate,
motivate and inspire young people
to set achievable goals.
For more
information, visit
http://ottawa.
cioc.ca/record/
OCR0420?UseCICVw=13
The Adeste Gold Medal honours everyday heros around
the world looking to make a difference.
For more information, visit
www.yesintl.com/adeste
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The Hon. Peter McKay, M.P., CWO J.A.R. Sylvestre, Dave Smith,
Hon. Senator Pamela Wallin and General Jon Vance
Afghanistan, Rememberance Day 2011
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Please support the members of our military
and the Military Families Fund.
Military Families Fund
In April 2007, General Rick Hillier, Canada’s former Chief of Defence Staff, set
up the Military Families Fund to help military families faced with financial needs
resulting from conditions of service.
One of General Hillier’s key phone calls at the project’s outset was to David.
He asked for fundraising help, which David gladly gave. At the project’s first
press conference, a $100,000 cheque was presented to the fund and an additional
$140,000 was raised for the project.
Since then, David has hosted a number of auctions on the fund’s behalf as well as
sitting on the organization’s board of directors. Money has been used for many
purposes, including flying families oversees to see their injured loved ones.
As of 2012, some $9 million had been raised in support of Canada’s military families.
For more information,
or to make a donation, please visit:
www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/mfamily/
Buy-a-Net Malaria
Prevention Group
Every 30 seconds,
a child dies of malaria.
Buy-a Net, Canada’s first citizen-driven initiative to
save lives by helping prevent malaria, is a cause close to
David’s heart and he became involved in typical fashion.
Debra Lefebvre, the founder of the organization, is
friends with influential people who know David—
friends who, when they heard about Debra’s work,
suggested she contact David to help out. He now sits
on the organization’s board of directors.
The initiative asks donors to spend seven dollars per net.
The money buys one bed net also pays for education,
distribution, monitoring and evaluation of the program.
To learn more or to make a
donation, log on to buyanet.ca
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Special Projects
Czech Republic
ƒƒ Raised funds to purchase a bathing lift
for mentally challenged children.
Nicaragua
ƒƒ Helped an existing chocolate factory to reorganize, resulting in staff increase from
32 to 140 people.
Canada
ƒƒ Ottawa Technical Learning Centre
ƒƒ David Smith Youth Treatment Centre (Ottawa)
ƒƒ Wabono Centre for Aboroginal Health (Ottawa)
ƒƒ Aboriginal Training Centre (Thunder Bay)
Iceland
ƒƒ Canada/Iceland Trade Promotion
Angola
ƒƒ Donated dental clinic and medical clinic supplies
ƒƒ Developed housing program
Africa
ƒƒ Medical Supplies shipped in containers to over
30 African countries.
ƒƒ Donated an ambulance in Ethiopia
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Kenya
ƒƒ Housing and teaching youth to build houses.
ƒƒ Donated school desks & equipment
Business interests
and achievements
2015: Opened Nate’s at the corner of Sparks & O’Connor
2011: Opened Nate’s Deli Family Kitchen at Merivale
2010: 50th anniversary of Nate’s Deli on Rideau Street
2005: Opened Nate’s Deli on Antares Drive in Ottawa
2003: Opened The North Pole Restaurant in Hollywood, Florida
2002: Started Nate’s Deli at Ottawa International Airport,
Ottawa, Ontario
1990: Launched Nate’s Deli, West Palm Beach, Florida
1985: Started Nate’s Deli in the Rideau Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
1984: Opened Nate’s Deli, Santa Monica, California
1969: Launched The Place Next Door, a restaurant famous
for steaks and seafood, Ottawa, Ontario
1960: Established a major catering business in Ottawa, Ontario
with the capacity to offer a full-course dinner to thousands
of diners in one sitting
1959: Introduced the first Nate’s Deli, in Ottawa, Ontario. which
expanded over the years from a small operation on Rideau
Street to a landmark that sat 280 people.
David has built considerable
business acumen through
his entrepreneurial pursuits.
His skills are integral to his
success as a philanthropist.
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Philanthropic interests
and board memberships
ƒƒ Abuta
ƒƒ Dare to Care Coach (Arnprior)
ƒƒ Algonquin College Advisory Committee
ƒƒ David Smith Youth Treatment Centre
ƒƒ Auctioneer for the Prince Aga Kahn to fund
new hospital in Bangladesh
ƒƒ David Smith Foundation for Youth
ƒƒ Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa-Carleton
ƒƒ Breast Cancer Action
ƒƒ Canadian Foundation for the
Study of Infant Deaths
ƒƒ Canadian Land Mines Foundation
ƒƒ Canadian Museum of Nature
ƒƒ Child Haven
ƒƒ Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
yy Board member, 1987–92
yy Chairman, Foundation Advisory Council
ƒƒ Children’s Wish Foundation
ƒƒ CHW Netanya Technological Highschool
in Isreal
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ƒƒ Easter Seal Society
yy Honourary Chairman, Ottawa District
ƒƒ Education Foundation
ƒƒ Friday’s Child
ƒƒ Friends of Sportfishing
ƒƒ Friends of Museum of Civilization
ƒƒ Friends of Tibet
ƒƒ Health Partners (United Way)
yy Chairman, 1992–96
ƒƒ Hug Your Heart Inc.
ƒƒ Humanitarian Projects in Angola, Africa
ƒƒ Humane Society of Ottawa-Carleton
ƒƒ Juvenile Diabetes Association
ƒƒ Koality Kids
ƒƒ Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus,
Ottawa Heart Institute
ƒƒ Learn to Earn
ƒƒ Council for Skilled Careers
ƒƒ Lily of the Valley Children’s Home
ƒƒ Miller’s Oven — A Senior Citizen Initiative
ƒƒ SADIS (Teach kids computer skills)
ƒƒ Military Family Fund (2007)
ƒƒ Salcaid
ƒƒ Montfort Hospital Foundation
ƒƒ Shepherds of Good Hope
ƒƒ Multi-Cultural Art Society
ƒƒ Snowsuit Fund
yy Board Member, 1992 to date
ƒƒ Streetcar 696 Restoration Project
ƒƒ Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada
ƒƒ Sunshine Coach (Renfrew)
ƒƒ Native Youth Training Centre in Pickle Lake, MI
ƒƒ The Canada Tree
ƒƒ Navy League of Canada
ƒƒ The Canadiana Fund
ƒƒ Operation Go Home
ƒƒ Union Mission for Men
yy Board Member since 1988,
Annual telethon MC
ƒƒ Ottawa Distress Centre
ƒƒ Ottawa District School Board —
Chair Award (2003)
ƒƒ Ottawa Neighbourhood Services —
Volunteer of Distinction Award (2003)
ƒƒ Ottawa Kidney Research Centre
ƒƒ Ottawa Paramedics
ƒƒ Ottawa Police Youth Centre
ƒƒ Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre
ƒƒ Ottawa Valley Book Festival
ƒƒ Partnership for Afganistan
ƒƒ Regional Education and Advocacy Centre
for the Disabled (REACH)
ƒƒ Variety Club International
yy Past Chairman and Charter Member since 1988
ƒƒ Victims Summit
yy Advocate for victims rights of high
violent crime (2006)
ƒƒ Veterans Gala (sponsor)
ƒƒ Wabono (Centre for Aboriginal Health)
ƒƒ Watercan
ƒƒ Wheels in Motion, Rick Hanson
ƒƒ Working with Sheila Copss and friends to raise
money for new schools in Haiti
ƒƒ United Way/Centraide
ƒƒ University of Ottawa, School of Business
yy Scholarship fund provided annually
ƒƒ Yes International
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Awards and distinctions
1987
1994
ƒƒ Businessman of The Year, Ottawa-Carleton Board of Trade
ƒƒ Ontario Medical Association Award in Recognition of Service of the Health and Welfare of the Local Community
1990
ƒƒ B’nai Brith Person of The Year Award
ƒƒ Ontario Medical Association Centennial Award
in Recognition of Achievements in Service to the Health and Welfare of the People of Ontario
1992
ƒƒ Nepean Police Service Award
ƒƒ Governor General’s Commemorative Medal of Honour Celebrating 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada
1995
ƒƒ Ontario Medical Association Award in Recognition of Service of the Health and Welfare of the Local Community
1993
ƒƒ Canadian Leadership Award
ƒƒ Ottawa Police Service Award
ƒƒ Ontario Medical Association Award in
Recognition of Service of the Health and
Welfare of the Local Community
1996
ƒƒ Charlotte Whitton Outstanding Citizen Award, City of Ottawa
ƒƒ B’nai Brith Person of The Year Award
ƒƒ Member of The Order of Canada
ƒƒ David Smith Day, November 13 - City of Ottawa
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1996 - Member of
The Order of Canada
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1998
ƒƒ Paul Harris Service Award, Rotary Club
ƒƒ Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Fund Raiser, Ottawa Chapter of NSFRE
1999
ƒƒ Consumer’s Choice Award, Businessman
of the Year
ƒƒ Military and Hospitality Order of Saint Lazarus of
Jerusalem, Companionate of Merit
ƒƒ Keys to City of Ottawa, Community
Work Recognition
ƒƒ You Made a Difference Award, Our Kids of Ottawa-Carleton
2000
ƒƒ United Way, Community Builder of the
Year Award
2001 - Honorary Doctorate - University of Ottawa
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2001
ƒƒ Honorary Doctorate - University of Ottawa
ƒƒ Schizophrenia Society of Ontario Community, Benefactor Award
2002
ƒƒ The Queen’s Medal
2003
ƒƒ Centennial of Flight, Billy Bishop Award
2004
ƒƒ Toastmasters International, Communications and Leadership Award
ƒƒ Retired Teachers of Ontario Celebrity Award
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2005
ƒƒ Kanata Food Cupboard, Fundraiser Award
2006
ƒƒ Order of Ontario
ƒƒ Honorary Law Degree - Carleton University
2007
ƒƒ Peace Award, Friends of Peace Ottawa
2008
ƒƒ Community Contribution Award
2009
2012 - Featured in Fifty Five Plus magazine
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ƒƒ Order of Ontario
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2010
2015
ƒƒ Commitee Excellence Award - The Wing of
Phoenix Association (Sergant Robin)
ƒƒ Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
received the Peoples’ Choice Business Award
for Community Support / Non Profit
Organization of the year for West Carleton
2012
ƒƒ Received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
ƒƒ Sept 2015: awarded the Recovery Day
Ottawa Award (RDO) for Perseverance
and Commitment to Supporting Addiction
Recovery
2013
ƒƒ September 2015 was awarded the honour of
the Order of Saint George
ƒƒ Named an honourary Colonel of the
Canadian Forces
ƒƒ Recieved the Languages of Life Award
ƒƒ Street in the Riverside South sector of Ottawa
named in his honour
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ƒƒ Received The Most Amazing People Award
on Oct 24
2012 - Named an honourary
Colonel of the Canadian
Armed Forces
The Hon. Col. David Smith with Gen. Walt Natynczyk,
Chief of Defense Staff (ret’d)
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Designations
Order of Canada
CM
Established in 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II, the Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the
Canadian Honours System, and recognizes outstanding
achievement, dedication to the community and service
to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors
of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet
they have all enriched the lives of others and made
a difference to this country. Since its creation, more
than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been
invested into the Order.
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Order of Ontario
O.ONT
The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest official
honour. It recognizes any current or former long-time
resident of Ontario who has demonstrated a high level of
individual excellence and achievement in any field benefiting
the people of Ontario or anywhere in the world.
Order of St.
George – kstG
The Order of St George promotes and pursues the
timeless traditions of chivalry by compassion and
supporting works of charity. The Order focuses on
supporting charities which work with current and
former service personnel, youth organizations within
the UK and with Christian communities suffering
religious persecution.
Order of Saint
Lazarus: The
Military and
Hospitalier Order
of St. Lazarus of
Jerusalem – MLJ
As an ecumenical Christian Order of Chivalry, membership of
the Order of Saint Lazarus is by invitation-only to both men
and women who are practicing and committed Christians,
are of good character and standing in their community, and
who wish to help suffering mankind. This invitation usually
comes from one of our active members, and often, from the
leadership at the national or regional level.
The MHOSLJ is a Christian Order of Chivalry. The Orders
central purpose is and historically has been its strong
dedication to charitable works
Recovery Day
Ottawa: Commitment and
Perseverance to Addition
Recovery – RDO
On Wednesday, April 21, the Community Addictions Peer
Support Association announced the first annual Recovery
Day Ottawa Award for Perseverance and Commitment
to Supporting Addiction Recovery. The Award was
presented to the 2015 year’s recipient Dave Smith on
Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Ottawa City Hall.
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www.davesmithcares.ca
The design and production
of this book was donated by
The writing of this book
was sponsored by
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was sponsored by