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Mehendale among those to be honoured at HMC gala by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Thursday, April 7, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Like many people who access Halton Multicultural Council's (HMC) services, Trivi Mehendale faced numerous challenges when he immigrated to Canada in 1976. Born in India, Mehendale completed his education in the U.K. before moving to Germany for three years and then Toronto for a few months before settling in Oakville. Among the challenges in front of him upon arriving was finding work. However, with the help of the community and hard work, he established a business career and has led a happy and fulfilled life here in Oakville, said Mehendale, who is on HMC's board of directors and a past-president. "I feel proud of everything I do," he told the Oakville Beaver Monday (April 4). Mehendale, who has served in a variety of roles on HMC's board over the last 13 years, will be celebrated at the council's annual Awards Night and Gala Friday, April 22. The formal event, now in its sixth year, takes place at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre, 3515 Wyecroft Rd. Doors open at 6 p.m. This year's gala will showcase the culture of Romania by highlighting that country's entertainment and traditions. The event will feature a puppet show for children, cultural food and desserts, an opportunity to win prizes through a silent Trivi Mehendale knows what it's like to be a newcomer to Canada. He is to be honoured in a special tribute at the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) gala April 22. | Oakville Beaver file photo auction and 50/50 draw, and a special tribute to Mehendale for 13 years of dedicated service to HMC. As a retired entrepreneur and CEO of Intrepid Distributors, the 68-year-old said he started volunteering because he wanted "to return something that I received from the community over the years." Before volunteering with HMC, Mehendale dedicated his time and efforts volunteering with the local UNICEF branch. He said he's proud at how much HMC has grown over the years from its humble beginnings. Mehendale said he strongly believes in the work HMC does as a community-based settlement agency that provides a variety of programs and services to immigrant and refugee communities. Newcomers can be paired with a settlement worker who can provide information and guidance on accessing social services, education, health care, housing employment, immigration applications and recreational facilities. Other HMC services include employment supports, English-language training and transitional housing. Headquartered at 1092 Speers Rd. in Oakville, it also operates offices in north Oakville, Burlington and Milton. HMC boasts a staff of 79 full- and part-time employees and more than 250 volunteers. All, according to Mehendale, are committed to furthering HMC's goal -- assisting people, regardless of race or ethnic origin, participate as full and active members of the community through fostering mutual respect and understanding of one another. Mehendale noted HMC is well-equipped to aid with the Syrian refugee crisis and can assist newcomers faster than any other organization. "We're here when it's needed the most," he said, adding HMC has a lot to celebrate. The HMC gala will also feature a short ceremony where the Bill Allison Community Leadership Award and the Recognition Award for Youth (R.A.Y. Award) will be handed out. Allison, who was HMC's first president and has been involved with Oakville Lions Club since 1993, is a long-standing community volunteer. In various leadership roles, he not only promoted diversity and inclusion, but civic engagement and community partnership as well. A portion of the gala proceeds will support RoCaTeach with an annual Kid's Weekend Retreat. Tickets cost $85 and can be purchased by emailing events@hmcconnections.com or calling 905-842-2486, or RSVP by April 15. For more information, visit hmcconnections.com. Quit smoking for good with RUN TO QUIT! Want to join but still have questions? free information session at Tuesday April 12 at 7:00pm Join our RUN, QUIT, WIN! 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