FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEVEN YOUTH DREAM BIG TO BUILD
STRONGER NEIGHBOURHOODS
United Way’s Get in the Way Awards, presented by Foresters, honour Toronto’s outstanding youth volunteers
TORONTO, June 27, 2007 – Today’s youth are passionate about their city. They care about their community and are striving to make a real difference in the lives of their families, friends and neighbours. For their outstanding initiative, leadership and volunteer efforts, seven Toronto youth today received United Way’s Get in the Way Awards, presented by Foresters™. Handed out at a special recognition breakfast at the CN Tower Horizons Café, the awards promote the ideals of volunteerism, citizenship and civic responsibility.
“The Get in the Way award recipients represent Toronto’s extraordinary youth, who every day positively affect the lives of others. They are our city’s future leaders whose passion, dreams and contributions to our city will be felt for years to come,” said Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto.
“Take 11-year-old Lawrence Heights resident Shaquille Williams,” added Lankin. “He dreamed of a safe place for youth to get together. He volunteered countless hours, obtained hundreds of signatures and organized a community effort to build a skateboard park. Through this tenacity and drive, Shaquille realized his dream. Now youth in his neighbourhood will have a safe meeting place for many years.”
“Foresters is pleased to support the United Way in recognizing all seven outstanding award recipients who represent our future,” said Gail Johnson Morris, Senior Vice President of Service Delivery, Foresters. “At Foresters, we are committed to helping children and inspiring others to make a difference in their communities.”
Four elementary school students,13 years of age and younger, and three secondary students, age 14 to 19, were selected by a jury panel of community leaders. With Foresters support, two of the award recipients were chosen from the Flemingdon Park area, designated by United Way and the City of Toronto as a priority neighbourhood, and close to Foresters international head office. Michael Clemons, Toronto Argonauts head coach and Chair of the Youth Challenge Fund, also generously sponsored an award for an elementary school student, enabling United Way to recognize a fourth student in this age category.
Award recipients were judged on the following criteria:
- amount of time given to a charitable organization;
- type of activities engaged in or initiated;
- demonstrated leadership skills; and,
- the impact they have had in their community.
All winners were awarded a cash prize ($500 for elementary students and $1000 for secondary students), a Foresters prize pack, which includes a $500 Canada Savings Bond and a commemorative trophy recognizing the recipients’ accomplishments.
About United Way of Greater Toronto
Established in 1956, United Way of Greater Toronto is a registered charity and community impact organization dedicated to improving lives
and strengthening neighbourhoods across Toronto.
United Way identifies needs and takes action
to create a better, safer, stronger city through
research, partnerships and support of a network
of 200 health and social service agencies.
About Foresters™
Founded in 1874, Foresters™ helps individuals
and families achieve financial security with
its innovative portfolio of life insurance
products and annuities. Foresters shares its
financial strength with its members, who are
customers, through complimentary life, health
and education benefits that help its 745,000
eligible members and their families in the
United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Foresters provides opportunities that inspire
its members to make a difference in their
communities. For more information, please
visit www.foresters.com
Foresters is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.
Media Contact:
Joanna King
United Way of Greater Toronto
(416) 777-1444 ext. 386
jking@uwgt.org
Paul Tyler
Foresters
416-429-3000 ext. 4415
ptyler@foresters.com
