Educational Program Innovations Charity

EPIC is happy to announce that Barry Waldman is the recipient of the third annual Harvey Webber Memorial Award.

The award was presented at the United Way of Cape Breton Annual General Meeting, held at Membertou on April 15, 2008.


The honour is awarded to individuals who 1) have a history of community volunteer experience in Cape Breton, 2) have devoted considerable time and effort in a volunteer capacity in the non-profit, non-governmental field, 3) have made an exemplary contribution as a community leader, and 4) epitomize the true volunteer spirit by choosing to give his/her time freely for no personal gain.

Barry, the creator of EPIC, serves as Supervisor of Programs and on the Board as Director of Finance, both volunteer positions. EPIC has managed over a dozen programs and projects since its inception, all focused on marginalized learners. During that time, over 98.7% of funding has gone directly to programs and initiatives, due mainly to Barry’s habit of donating time in all administrative capacities. It is conservatively estimated that the lives of over 1500 youth and young adults in Cape Breton have been favourably impacted by the programs fostered by Barry.

In accepting the Harvey Webber Memorial Award, Barry graciously drew attention to those who nominated him as well as the hundreds of other volunteers in Cape Breton who deserve this kind of recognition.

We who work with Barry are thrilled at his receiving this well-deserved honour and hope there are many more to come!

Dan Christmas, Chairman and Director of Planning for the EPIC Board of Directors and Senior Adviser to the Chief and Council of Membertou First Nations, is the winner of the National Excellence in Aboriginal Leadership Award for contributions at a regional level. This is one of two awards given by the National Aboriginal Financial Officers Association each year.

The award was presented to Dan in Montreal on February 14, 2008.

Dan was nominated by the Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office in Membertou. Criteria for the award include demonstrating leadership that motivates and inspires as well as raises the standards of aboriginal finance and management. The association is recognizing Dan’s vision for excellence and the highest standards of contribution to an effective, well-managed and governed community.

The EPIC Board and staff, who have known and worked with Dan for many years and who are always appreciative of his wisdom, intelligence, hard work and kind nature, are pleased to see others singling him out for this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations, Dan!