CityNews’ Sam Laprade recognized for her storytelling and fundraising efforts

The voice of CityNews' Sam Laprade can be heard on the airwaves every weekday on The Sam Laprade Show, raising awareness of undiscovered issues in the city while bringing her empathy and wit to each interview. 

But it was in March 2020, when there was uncertainty felt in the world and in Ottawa, that she became a reassuring voice on the radio — for a total of 90 days — sharing heartfelt community stories.

“It was very much telling really, really difficult stories and trying to bring some hope and some positivity during a time there was very little of it,” Laprade said in an Algonquin College interview.

Now, Algonquin College is recognizing Laprade's achievements with a Creative Arts and Design Award at the 2022 Alumni of Distinction Awards.

She is well-known within Ottawa's charity community and since 2018, she has hosted “An Hour to Give” on CityNews 101.1 in Ottawa and CityNews 95.7 in Halifax.

Laprade's show not only highlights local charities and not-for-profits; her perspective as a mother and a woman brings focus to topics such as mental health and domestic violence along with other important issues. 

“Our listenership, in terms of women, has increased. I get great emails from women all the time saying they never listened to talk radio before,” she said. 

Laprade graduated from Algonquin College's Public Relations program in 1991 and credits the program's work placement for helping build a successful fundraising career. 

“Algonquin (College) gave me a safe place to learn and a place to uncover my passions, try, risk, fail and learn again,” she said. “It opened doors to careers I didn't even know existed,” she said, adding that the program assists her in her radio show, business, stand-up comedy and more.

After graduating, Laprade shifted her efforts toward fundraising for organizations such as the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, the Ottawa Humane Society, the Ottawa Mission Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

Continuing with her charitable nature, she is giving the college a legacy gift to help future students attain the education they need to start their careers. 

Laprade will be presented with the award during a Sept. 29 ceremony at Algonquin College's Ottawa campus.

Read more about the work of Sam Laprade here.