Marissa Autida named Anita Price Award of Excellence winner

Marissa Autida knows exactly what it takes to make our House a place to call home for families with seriously ill children.

As Assistant Manager of Housekeeping at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto, Marissa and her team ensure the House is clean and welcoming. For the families, staff, and volunteers at RMHC Toronto, Marissa is often the first person to wish you ‘good morning’ each day.

In recognition of her exemplary teamwork, resilience, and compassion in delivering our mission, Marissa has been named the 2022 recipient of the Anita Price Award of Excellence, which is given annually to an RMHC Toronto staff member who demonstrates these values.

“My favourite part about my work is seeing children and their families happy together,” says Marissa, who has been with RMHC Toronto for 14 years. “I believe that by doing the best I can, I will satisfy their needs and give them comfort.”

Marissa’s colleagues say that their team’s success is due to her exceptional leadership and the fact that she goes the extra mile; she is a friendly face in the hallways who makes time to talk to families, staff and volunteers – always remembering everyone’s name.

“Marissa adds a special warmth that lights up the House,” says Candice Gurwitz, Chief Operating Officer at RMHC Toronto. “She is so kind to everyone she meets and always leaves the House sparkling clean.”

Always professional, Marissa smoothly navigates the changes in process and procedures that have been implemented throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She takes on extra tasks with grace and a smile.

“I wanted to work at RMHC Toronto so I could bring in my housekeeping skills and compassion for people,” she says. “I’m proud that through my work, I’m contributing to keeping seriously ill children and their families together.”

In her spare time, Marissa says she enjoys practising songs with members of her church choir and spending time outdoors with friends.

“The Anita Price Award of Excellence is a great opportunity for our staff to recognize a peer for their outstanding service. I am delighted they selected Marissa as she is highly deserving of this honour,” says Catherine Bridgman, CEO of RMHC Toronto. “It is also a reminder of the decades of service Anita Price generously gave and the positive impact she had on the lives of hundreds of our families. Marissa has that same positive effect on our families today.”

The award is named after Anita Price, the inaugural recipient, who retired in 2018 after three decades of service to RMHC Toronto as an employee, and prior to that as a Board Director and volunteer.

Congratulations, Marissa!