Canada's Stephen Harper Establishes The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards

Canadian Samaritans have the chance to be recognized by the federal government and win some money to donate to their favourite non-profit.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper, Canada's 22nd Prime Minister, has established the annual The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards “to recognize the exceptional contribution of volunteers, local businesses and innovative not-for-profit organizations in improving the well-being of families and their communities.”

Nominations can be made beginning April 10, during National Volunteer Week (10^th to 16^th), and winners will be announced later on in the year. There will be 17 awards presented, 15 of which are regional and given to volunteers, business leaders and individuals from non-profit organizations, and two are national, one to recognize lifelong achievement and one for a young adult.

Winners of the regional awards will receive a $5,000 grant for the not-for-profit organization of their choice and national award recipients will receive $10,000.

“Our Government is proud of the millions of volunteers and other everyday Canadians who generously give their time, experience and expertise to make their communities stronger,” Prime Minister Harper said in a statement.  “These awards will celebrate their enormous contributions and we hope it encourages others to participate and make a difference in their own communities.”

According to the Prime Minister of Canada’s web site, “The goal of the awards is to inspire Canadians from all walks of life to find new ways of making a difference in their communities.”

Nomination guidelines are already posted. For example,  “All recipients must demonstrate how they have made a difference in their community (providing those facing social challenges with the support, knowledge, and/or information they need to maintain their well-being and actively participate in society).”

There are also examples listed, such as for the young adult leadership award, it uses  the fictional stories of Lucy and James.

“Inspired by her family’s experience as new immigrants, Lucy, 23, collaborated with a not-for-profit organization that worked with new immigrants, a local university and fellow students to organize a volunteer youth-senior matching program that helps senior immigrants adjust to life in Canada.

“James cares about Canada’s northern communities.  A recent graduate and new husband, James has given up living and teaching in southern Ontario to teach and volunteer in a northern community that has high drop-out rates and problems of addiction at the local high school.”

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