2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards: Who are YOUR Community Leaders?

Across Ontario young individuals are taking control and working hard to make a difference within their communities and around the world. The youth of today are our leaders of tomorrow. There’s one in every crowd and they deserve to be recognized for their contributions. Have a look within your community and see who stands out among the rest.

The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) is currently accepting nominations for the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year Awards. Help us by nominating a special individual who invests their spare time into community service, has the courage and drive to overcome the challenges of living with a disability or illness and still dedicates time and effort towards others. They can be a ‘hero’ or someone who acted quickly in a desperate time to help someone else. Most of all these individuals go above and beyond what is expected of someone their age. They take initiative to look passed their own needs and inspire those around them to give rather than take.

We all know someone who falls under this category of being a ‘good kid’. They are sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, students, team players and employees. Let’s give these young leaders a chance to stand in the spotlight.

Nominate someone between the ages of six and 17 today. After all, these individuals are our leaders of tomorrow. They deserve some recognition and encouragement to continue making a difference.

Nominations will be accepted until Wednesday, November 30, 2011. Up to 12 nominees will be selected as the final recipients for the 2011 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award and will be recognized at a special ceremony in Spring 2011. Nomination forms and further information is available at www.ocna.org, or by calling the OCNA office at 905-639-8720 ext. 239.

Coordinated by the OCNA since 1981, the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards Program has recognized the best of Ontario’s youth. Sponsorship from TD Canada and Direct Energy and support from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario helps to make this program possible each year.

About OCNA

Founded in 1950, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) is a non-profit industry association representing over 300 community newspapers located throughout the province. Each week, OCNA newspapers are read by 6 million Ontario residents. Check out www.ocna.org for more information.

About TD Bank Financial Group

 TD invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where our customers, clients and employees live and work. In 2010, TD donated over $50 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, we focus on Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Opportunities for Young People, and the Environment. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.

About Direct Energy

In 2010, Direct Energy committed over $1.4 million in cash, product and service donations to charitable organizations across North America while raising an additional $213,000 for charitable causes through employee-led fundraisers

Direct Energy believes we have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work. By investing our resources, sharing our skills, knowledge and volunteering our time, we believe we can create valuable inter-connections and develop lasting corporate-community partnerships. . Our employees found new ways to partner with the non-profit sector to share skills and ideas and strive to make a difference by volunteering over 6,200 hours to initiatives in their local communities.

Direct Energy is a member of Volunteer Canada’s Corporate Council and supports our employees through a robust array of charitable programs such as Dollars for Doers, Matching Grants and our own Direct Energy Citizen of the Year Award.

For more information, please contact Emily Richardson, Direct Energy, 416-758-8979, emily.richardson@directenergy.com or visit www.directenergy.com.