Nominations Open for URock Volunteer Awards

Young people across Newfoundland and Labrador are making great things happen. The Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector, is encouraging all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to acknowledge the contributions of the provinces youth by nominating a young volunteer who is making an impact on the lives of others in their community, province and the world.

“The URock Volunteer Awards infuses the prestige and honour of a conventional awards program with a youthful energy and enthusiasm, which makes it unique,” said Minister McGrath. “Young leaders and youth-led organizations across the province are making great things happen and we have an opportunity to officially recognize and thank them by saying ‘you rock!’”

Nominations for the URock Volunteer Awards can be made in two categories: individuals 30 years of age or under who have made outstanding voluntary contributions without reward or gain; or youth-led non-profit organizations that have made a significant contribution for the betterment of others. All nominees, recipients and their families will be invited to attend the 2012 URock Volunteer Awards Show, a true celebration in honour of the outstanding contributions being made by young volunteers throughout the province. The red-carpet awards gala will include live performances by local rock bands and the eight award recipients will each receive a customized electric guitar.

"We all know how important volunteers are to our communities and our province, so I ask everyone to take the time to nominate a deserving young volunteer who has made a significant impact on the lives of others,” said Minister McGrath. “By celebrating young leaders and telling them they rock, we acknowledge their contributions and at the same time encourage others to get involved in their communities. I also urge nominators to consider the wide range of contributions made by our province’s youth and to recognize that big or small, it is the efforts of our young volunteers that make our schools, communities and province a better place to live.”

Visit www.urockvolunteerawards.ca or call 1-877-895-8891 for official guidelines and nomination forms, photographs and videos from previous years, and all the latest updates on musical acts and entertainment for this year. The deadline to submit nominations is February 27, 2012.

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Media contact:
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs
Voluntary and Non-Profit Secretariat
709-729-1674, 631-9505
carolanncarter@gov.nl.ca 

2012 01 09                                   3:00 p.m.