There is a time when I meet people with a purpose
There are moments when such people are with points and pointers
Such people are always there even if my audience be counted as one
They fill the space not with numbers, but their love and compassion
They are not there as VIP (Very Important People)
There are just there with no VI (Very Important) but just people
Attentive ears and solid solidarity
One man who stands out amongst such people is Les Horne
Les Horne was just always there ……………………………………..

Today I mourn for a man whose seat at front row middle is empty
But whose compassionate spirit fills our hearts
The man I saw leading a big applause when I spoke
Now with this poem I know will raise his spiritual applause
A man who with his heart served children quietly and efficiently
A man who every time I touched land of Canada touched my hand
Made me stronger in moments of persecution back home
A man who believed in others and believed support to others was support to children
Children never his but fought for day and night
Founder of Defence for Children International
Les who was always there………………………………………….

Those who spoke he paid attention, he asked questions
Those who were new as me he sought to know and embrace
That seat Les Horne took to listen is one seat I know through and through
It`s empty and its emptiness leaves quite some void
Even as he physically not there because he was always there
Les Horne is always here now, spiritually
For how can only today he not be here
When he was on time here always
Les Horne is and was always there ……………………………………

Rest In Peace Les

In memory of Les, this award of up to $1000 will be presented by DCICanada on an annual basis to a young person or group of young people whose proposal to promote children’s rights is selected.

As we launch it this November 17th, we are asking you as friends of Les Horne to contribute to a fund to support this award in his memory. All contributions, large or small, will be gratefully received. If you are unable to attend the memorial event on the 17th, you may contribute by cheque to DCICanada (Les Horne Award).*

* Charitable receipts will be provided for donations of $10.00 or more.

is pleased to invite you to attend a

Celebration of the Life of Les Horne

 6:00 pm on November 17, 2011 at the City of Toronto Archives 255 Spadina Rd., Toronto

So many are grieving the recent loss of Les Horne, first Child Advocate in Ontario, founding member of DCI-Canada and true champion for children. Several of those who knew him well will reminisce about his life and the contributions he made to the lives of those he touched.

There will also be an opportunity for guests to speak of their own encounters with him, and celebrate his wit, his kind generosity, his wisdom, as well as the breadth of his knowledge and the skill with which he negotiated and often reshaped Ontario’s system of services for children.

Light refreshments will be served.