"Ryan Reynolds honored with the city's highest accolade in a moving and bizarre ceremony in Vancouver"
Ryan Reynolds Honoured with Freedom of the City Award in Vancouver
Actor and philanthropist Ryan Reynolds was granted the prestigious Freedom of the City award in a private ceremony held at Vancouver City Hall on Thursday. The award, which is bestowed upon individuals or groups who have made a significant and lasting impact on the city, has been a symbol of recognition since its inception in 1936.
Past recipients of the Freedom of the City award include Rick Hansen, Jim Pattison, and David Suzuki, all of whom have contributed greatly to the community. This year, Ryan Reynolds joins their ranks, having made charitable contributions to various organisations such as Covenant House and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and showing his love for the city through his actions and words.
Reynolds, a proud Vancouverite, has not only given back to the community but has also surprised the graduating class of Kitsilano Secondary School during the pandemic with a virtual commencement speech. In a touching gesture, he also gave each student in the graduating class a free pizza.
Mayor Ken Sim made a statement about Ryan Reynolds, praising his contributions to the city and his dedication to making a difference in the lives of Vancouverites. Reynolds, for his part, expressed gratitude for receiving the award, considering it both humbling and surreal to be part of Vancouver's history with the Freedom of the City award. He also stated that Vancouver played a significant role in shaping his identity.
The Freedom of the City award comes with a free, lifetime pass for the city's pools, skating rinks, and community centres, further acknowledging the recipient's commitment to the city. While the name of the person who received the first Freedom of the City Award in Vancouver in 1936 is not explicitly mentioned in the search results, the award itself began in 1936, and only recent recipients like Ryan Reynolds are named in the sources provided.
As Reynolds continues to make a positive impact on Vancouver, it is clear that he will continue to be a valuable asset to the city and a role model for others.
