NEWS

Ten young men and women will receive the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers for their exceptional volunteerism in activities ranging from distributing food for those in need to organizing fundraising drives for a school in India for HIV-positive children.  The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will present the awards to:

• Wendell Adjetey of Mississauga
• Monica Armanious of Mississauga
• Viviana Astudillo-Clavijo of Toronto
• Justin Beaver of Nibinamik First Nation
• James Binsfeld of King City
• Michaela Chen of Richmond Hill
• Matthew Cutler of Toronto
• Julie Harmgardt of Oakville
• Gerald Mak of Toronto
• Adam Wheeler of Toronto

The ceremony will take place on Friday May 2, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Queen’s Park in the main lobby of the Ontario Legislative Building.

QUOTES

“I am pleased to honour the contributions of these admirable young people, and I encourage others in this age group to get involved – to embrace volunteerism and community service,” said the Hon. David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

“For National Volunteer Week, this year we are paying tribute to youth volunteers. These 10 young people embody active citizenship in their daily lives and are role models for other youth,” said the Hon. Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

QUICK FACTS

• To date 57 young Ontarians have been awarded with the medal.
• The award recipients are selected by an independent advisory council made up of seven members appointed by the Premier.  The Lieutenant Governor is the honourary chair of the council.

LEARN MORE

• Background information on recipients.
  www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours/omyv

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Contacts:
Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, (416) 325-7781
Donna Piasentini, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7012

• Backgrounder - Ontario Medal For Young Volunteers Recipients 2008