Press
Release- November 25, 2011
The Perth and District Community
Foundation (PDCF) is pleased to announce that the winner of our 10th
Anniversary Youth Achievement Award is seventeen year old Kathryn Gallant, a
student at St. John Catholic High School.
PDCF announced the creation of the
Youth Achievement award in October as part of its 10th Anniversary celebrations.
The Award recognizes an outstanding person 19 years old or younger from Perth, Drummond North Elmsley, Tay Valley or Lanark Highlands Township. Criteria for the
award included demonstrated leadership skills in volunteer, environmental or
community initiatives that address the immediate needs of our communities.
PDCF President Ann Munroe with award winner Kathryn Gallant
and Carol Ann McNeil, Manager of the Lanark Community Programs' Family Relief Program
Photo coutesy of Arranel Studios
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The Award was presented to Kathryn
at the PDCF Christmas Gala held Friday, November 25, 2011. Kathryn is an outstanding volunteer. She is committed to making a difference in areas of social
justice and issues that are important to her and improve the lives of others in
her community and around the world. Kathryn is highly regarded by her teachers,
her peers and the organizations where she dedicates her leadership skills,
organizational abilities and her time.
Craig Halpenny, PDCF Vice-President,
presented the Youth Achievement Award and outlined some of Kathryn’s numerous accomplishments.
She volunteers with the Perth and District Foodbank, Lanark Community Programs’
Family Relief Youth Group, the Catholic Women’s League’s Human Trafficking Awareness
Campaign, and has participated in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
for four years. At St. John Catholic High School, Kathryn has been a member of
the Justice Action Committee for four years and currently serves as Secretary
on the Executive Council. For the past two years she has been Chapter President
of Best Buddies-a program that partners up a student with special needs with
another student in the school.
One of Kathryn’s teachers at St. John Catholic High School describes her as being “in her element when she is working to
help others; she brings out the best in those around her.” Another teacher
comments that “Kathryn has the mature attitude, reliability and enthusiasm that
define a true leader.”
In Kathryn’s own words: ”My work in
the community not only taught me so much about the lives of those living with
disabilities, but it also inspired me to further my volunteering experience by
working towards making this my profession. Through volunteering, I created
wonderful new friendships with both students and adults who share my interests
and although my primary intention when I began volunteering in my community was
to help others, I think that whatever help I have provided to others has come
back to me tenfold. The people I have met and the motivation I’ve gained from
my experience has truly changed my life.”
Kathryn, as the Award recipient, was
given the opportunity to designate a registered charity to receive a $1000
grant in recognition of her achievements. She selected the Lanark Community
Programs’ Family Relief Program. Carol Ann McNeil, Manager of the Family Relief
Program, was on hand to receive the cheque. Lanark Community Programs is a part
of Lanark Health and Community Services. The Family Relief Program provides respite care to
families in Lanark County who care for a child or adult with a developmental or
physical disability. They co-ordinate
in-home/out-of-home and
community integrated relief and provide summer programs and recreational year-round programs
for youths and adults.
The Perth and District Community
Foundation extends congratulations to Kathryn Gallant on her accomplishments.
She embodies the qualities that we sought to recognize with this prestigious
Award.
The Perth and District Community Foundation Announces a 2011
Special Youth Achievement Award
To
celebrate our 10th Anniversary, The Perth and District Community
Foundation is now accepting nominations until November 10, 2011 for outstanding
young people in our community. Nominees must be 19 or younger living in Perth, Drummond North Elmsley, Tay Valley or Lanark Highlands Township.
Criteria
for the award include demonstrated leadership skills in volunteer,
environmental or community initiatives that address the immediate needs of our
communities.
The
application must contain supporting documentation, including a description of
the activities and a minimum of two testimonials from individuals unrelated to
the candidate.
The
successful applicant will be given the opportunity to designate a registered
charity of their choice to receive a $1000 grant in recognition of the
candidate’s achievements.
Nominate
Someone Today! Nomination period now over.
The
award will be presented at the Foundation’s Christmas Gala being held at Algonquin
College on November 25th, 2011.
