Rick Mercer, Rick Patina Prize Winner and Six Youth to Shine at the 12th Annual Leadership Awards Gala

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 24, 2014) - Rick Mercer and six Leadership Award Recipients, Leslie Spence will be honoured at the 2014 DAREarts Leadership Award Gala, held in Toronto on Thursday, April 24^th, 6:30 pm at the Kool Haus, 132 Queen's Quay.

Rick Mercer will receive the DAREarts Leadership Cultural Award. Marilyn Field: Founder Marilyn Field: "Besides ranting about what's wrong with our country, Rick Mercer lauds what is so good about Canada. He finds what's the best in all of us, especially our kids. Our theme this year is 'Sea 2 Sea 2 Sea' celebrating DAREarts kids' achievements in the East, West and North."

Six youth from across Canada will be awarded the Leadership Medal: Hamdi Ahmed of Etobicoke ON, Marlo Mason of Vancouver BC, Caden Okeese of Webequie First Nation ON, Luke Scollard of Nestleton ON, Danielle Truong, Toronto ON and Katherine Welsh, Toronto ON. Founder Marilyn Field: "The iceberg, a Canadian icon, perfectly symbolizes our country's young people. What lies beneath the surface is a huge, untapped power that will render them capable of overcoming any of life's storms. From sea to sea to sea, using all the arts, DAREarts empowers our country's vulnerable kids to realize their full potential."

The Patina Prize will provide a legacy for Richard Patina, long-term Chairman of the DAREarts Board of Directors, as DAREarts continues building as a national charity, reaching over 13,000 children yearly with the power of the arts to transform lives. Mr. Patina was also CEO of Lombard Canada Ltd., on the board of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and on the Board of Governors for Shaw Festival. The inaugural recipient this year will be Leslie Spence, who was awarded the Leadership Award by Richard Patina in 2007. This first Patina Prize will be presented by Rick's wife, Judy Patina, and their two children, Derek and Melanie, at the DAREarts Leadership Awards gala, Marilyn Field, DAREarts Founder: "The Patina Prize will help us all gain from the strength of our memories of a man who took action to make a difference, and will DARE us all to do the same."

DAREarts Leadership Awards proceeds will benefit DAREarts' programs that empower 13,000 underserved 9-to-19 year-olds yearly to escape the cycle of poverty and become leaders. Six DAREarts graduates are also presented with Leadership Awards and scholarships for turning their lives around and igniting positive change in their communities.

Guests will enjoy dinner prepared by Presidential Gourmet, auctions, and entertainment by Newfoundland recording artist Barry Canning as well as teens in STOPP. Dinner will be interspersed with Awards presentations and the always-inspiring personal stories from the youth about how DAREarts has helped them change their lives for the better. New this year will be an 'AfterChill' party and dance at 9pm in Chroma following the Awards for both the guests and younger professionals.

DAREarts is a Canadian charity which stands for "Discipline, Action, Responsibility and Excellence". DAREarts' 5-year program works with 9-15 year olds from schools in high-priority neighbourhoods, empowering them to become leaders. Visit www.darearts.com for more information about DAREarts. Visit http://www.darearts.wordpress.com for up-to-date activities.

DAREarts thanks its lead supporters: Northbridge Insurance, Guy Carpenter, Scotiabank, TD, Ontario Arts Council and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

There will be an opportunity for media interviews/photos between 5-5:30 on April 24.

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