The Prime Minister recently announced that he was looking for outstanding individuals, groups, businesses or not for profit organizations to receive one of 17 awards to be presented by him at both the regional and national level. Recipients of the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards will be recognized at a ceremony and can name a not for profit organization to receive a grant of $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).
Individual Canadians across our great country help their communities in many ways, from organizing activities for children with disabilities, to fundraising for community projects. All the hours they donate add up to the equivalent of 1.1 million full-time jobs. Many businesses also make a positive impact in their communities by organizing fundraising events or allowing their employees paid time away from work to volunteer in the community. Not for profit organizations also help build stronger communities by forging partnerships with other organizations to find solutions to social issues in their community. In Canada 161,000 registered charities and not for profits work to improve the lives of others.
With almost fifty percent of Canadian citizens volunteering during any given year, I believe this is a great way to recognize the people who take the time to give back to our communities. I recently had the honour of presenting 31 outstanding Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry volunteers with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award. It was extremely heartwarming to hear short biographies of their accomplishments recited during the ceremony. It hit home with many of the 800 observers in attendance of how much service is provided to our communities by volunteers. There were many other deserving constituents that were worthy of recognition, but we were limited by the number of medals allocated to my office. However, now we have another chance!
This is why I encourage all of the constituents of SD&SG to nominate a group or individual in your community worthy of recognition for their volunteerism. I would love to have one or more of the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards presented to constituents right here in SD&SG. If you know of an individual or group worthy to be nominated please visit www.pm.gc.ca/awards, or call 1-877-825-0434 for more information.