Clark urges organizations to nominate volunteers

Megan Chant, 8, is congratulated by Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark at the 2011 Volunteer Service Awards ceremony in Kingston on Monday, June 27. Chant was recognized for her efforts with Community and Primary Health Care.

PHOTO CREDIT - SteveClarkMPP.com

Queen's Park - December 18, 2011 - Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark is urging organizations and municipalities in the riding to make sure they take the time over the next month to nominate their hard-working volunteers for the annual Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.

"I know there are hundreds of groups in the communities I represent with volunteers deserving of this recognition. I've met many of them as I travel to events across Leeds and Grenville," said Clark.

"When these awards are handed out next year, I want to make sure that as many people as possible from Leeds-Grenville are involved. It's a wonderful way to acknowledge the people who give so much to our communities."

Clark noted the awards are not only a way to say thank you and encourage existing volunteers to keep up the good work, but the program also helps inspire others to follow their example.

The awards will be presented to local recipients during ceremonies in Ottawa, Kingston and Cornwall in June. Clark has attended the Volunteer Service Awards ceremonies in 2010 and 2011 and personally presented them to hundreds of people from across the riding.

"It's an event I look forward to attending every year. It is humbling to be in the presence of so many who have given so much to build stronger communities across Leeds-Grenville," said Clark. "It's a great celebration of active citizenship and I'm hoping to meet many more deserving volunteers at this summer's ceremonies."

Since its inception in 1986, more than 150,000 volunteers have been recognized through the Volunteer Service Awards program.

The awards recognize youth volunteers who have two or more consecutive years of service to an organization and adult volunteers with five or more straight years of contributing to their community.

Recipients are nominated by their organization - which can include not-for-profits, sports organizations, boards and commissions, businesses, schools, municipalities and long-term care homes and hospitals. The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 25.

Nominations can be made online or the forms are available to download by clicking to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration website at www.Ontario.ca/honoursandawards. Forms can also be picked up at MPP Clark's constituency office located at 100 Strowger Blvd., Suite 101 in Brockville.