Ray Leveque, a Customer Service Clerk at Manitoba Liquor Mart, recently had the distinct privilege and honour of receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his more than 40 years of service, contributions and support to the military, business and civilian communities in Winnipeg and Manitoba.
This medal is one of only 30,000 Coronation Medals awarded by the Government of Canada to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to our country or a local community, or who have done something honourable abroad for Canada.
Previously, Ray was also presented with the Twice the Citizen Award from the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba for those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service in both their military and civilian careers and who have made an extraordinary contribution to Canada’s defence and security forces.
“To receive both of these awards is a highlight of my life,” said Ray. “I was filled with immense gratitude and humility to be amongst the company of such incredible recipients. Being nominated by my peers for the Twice the Citizen Award was very surreal.”
Ray has served in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves as well as spent over 30 years involved with the Navy League of Canada.
Over the years, Ray has also been involved with many military and civilian organizations and currently volunteers as a board memberfor two charities: the Naval Museum of Manitoba and as an Advisor with The Hubbell Award Inc.
The Naval Museum has an extensive collection of items that have mostly been donated by family members and the community at large. Since the Museum started, it has collected thousands and thousands of objects, archives, photographs, and books, all with significant meaning to the history of the Royal Canadian Navy’s presence in Winnipeg, Canada, and around the word.
The Hubbell Awards present scholarships to Sea, Army and Air Cadets currently enrolled in a Manitoba unit who will continue their education.
Ray first started volunteering in his early 30s with the Firefighters Burn Fund, specifically on the distribution of their popular calendars. While promoting calendar sales at events, Ray always found it amusing when he was asked which month he was featured.
“It was great to see the amount raised and to know the impact that it would have within the community,” said Ray.
Giving back has always been very rewarding for Ray and he was very pleased to find out about The Together Project.
“It’s nice to see a Manitoba corporation giving back to the community,” said Ray. “To be employed by a company that offers this support to their employees as well as Manitobans is humbling.”
With so many years of volunteering, Ray has found tremendous value in the impact one person can have towards an organization that is meaningful to them.
“It’s incredible to see the results of your efforts and time,” said Ray. “Whatever you give is more than they had yesterday.”
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#MBLLGoodTogether demonstrates Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries’ (MBLL) commitment to partnering with Manitoba communities, non-profits, and charitable organizations that help make our province an even better place to live.
Our Community Champion series highlights MBLL employees that are making a difference in the lives of Manitobans through their work or volunteer efforts in the spirit of being “good together.”