COLUMN: We should celebrate people like Jimmy Hassan

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Something dawned on me last weekend.

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I am known in this community for one of two reasons, mostly. I am either recognized for my work with the Whig-Standard or for my work with my side passion, professional wrestling.

On Saturday, May 25, I had the honor of co-master of ceremonies for Kingston City Councilor Jimmy Hassan’s Diversity Dinner. Every year, Hassan and his family personally plan, organize, pay for and host a massive dinner celebrating diversity and kindness in Kingston.

It’s something, Jimmy told me, that he started a few years ago as a way to say thank you to this community for welcoming him and his family into ours.

I first met Jimmy many years ago after a YMCA workout where I was sharing my struggle with the bulge. In those days, I was working out four or more times a week with a trainer and trying to clean up my eating habits. Part of it was then to reduce the consumption of bread.

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On this day, however, I was craving pizza. But, I thought, I could have a thin-crust, gluten-free chicken feta and onion pie and keep it healthy. Where, I wondered, could I go to have such a creation? We’re probably talking at least 10 years ago, so keep in mind that these things were still relatively rare back then. Now, everything is available gluten-free, including probably gluten itself!

Hmm, I thought. There is a Pizza Pizza nearby, they definitely have to have a gluten free, thin crust option. So I walked down Bath Road a short distance and popped into Pizza Pizza nearby. Inside, I was greeted by the friendly Hassan, who I could tell immediately recognized me.

I was right. He recognized me from my writings in the Whig Standard.

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We struck up a conversation about the situation in Kingston at the time, our lives, our visions, and any other small talk we could muster. I still remember how genuinely nice, kind and community-oriented I found Jimmy.

That visit spurred another not long after. And then another. In the years that followed, Jimmy and I shared many conversations and experiences. When I briefly left journalism and tried to run my own pizzeria, Jimmy showed up at the store one day ready to order pizza for his family in a show of friendship that, in the world of the pizza business, would be similar to The Montreal Canadiens mascot showed up to support the Toronto Maples at an event. It’s unheard of.

However, there was Jimmy, not only ordering food but sharing his support for me on social media.

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When Jimmy ran for council, I naturally returned the favor by supporting him through my own social platforms.

Last spring, while I was working at a grocery store after leaving the local business world, Jimmy invited me to be a guest at his Diversity Dinner, which I did.

There, I witnessed hundreds and hundreds more of those “Jimmy Hassan” experiences as hundreds of people from our community gathered at his event to pay tribute to Jimmy, his family and the diversity that exists in Kingston .

From powerful speeches to hugs and handshakes, I saw firsthand how many others in Kingston had the kind of experiences with Jimmy that I enjoyed.

So afterwards I told Jimmy that not only would I love to attend again next year, but that I would be honored to help host it or be a part of it in a larger capacity .

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So last Saturday I was invited to co-host it. This year it was even bigger, with nearly 400 people packing into Mille-Iles Secondary School on the west side.

There, along with Mille-Iles Principal Thomas Rinshed, I had the privilege of introducing the evening’s speakers and guests, which included the likes of Mayor Bryan Paterson, Kingston and the Islands MP Ted Hsu and MP Mark Gerretsen, along with several other distinguished guests. .

Each talked about the importance of diversity in Kingston, along with examples, but more importantly, each talked about their connection to Jimmy, some dating back a long time, some more recent.

And when Jimmy came to speak, introduced by local radio icon Reid from 98.3 The Move, the entire room hung on every word.

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Reid mentioned how impossible it is to say no to Jimmy Hassan.

This for no other reason than it inspires you to want to say yes. To want to share his passion. To want to be part of his vision. To want to support the causes he supports.

Heck, right now Jimmy is among the few immigrants in Canada who have been nominated for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, which recognizes and celebrates the stories of Canadian immigrants who have achieved great things while inspiring others and impacting their adoption. the country. Voting is open until June 7 (canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/vote)

What I realized after Saturday night is that no matter what you are recognized for, it is an honor to simply be recognized as someone who is making a difference in their community or in the lives of others.

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Jimmy Hassan is that and then some.

Some of you may know Jimmy as the pizza guy who can strike up a conversation with anyone about anything and talk at length.

Others may know him as the City Councilor for the Trillium District, who works tirelessly to improve the lives of not only the people in his district, but the community at large.

Others may only know it because they’ve seen it in our community, sometimes collecting donations for charitable causes, other times just because they’ve been happy to hand it out and be part of trying to make a difference.

On Saturday night, as he hosted, fed and thanked over 400 people for welcoming his family into our community, I couldn’t help but think that we are the ones who should be thanking him Jimmy. Because you came to our city and made it a better place for others. For his tireless work to improve the lives of those he touches, whether it’s one person at a time in a day or an entire community.

Or, on this night, an entire room full of Jimmy Hassan supporters.

Thanks Jimmy! We are all better for having you in our lives.

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