WINNIPEG, MB - October 15, 2012 - Mayor Sam Katz today presented four deserving volunteers with the 2012 Mayor's Senior of the Year Awards. Each year, young people nominate seniors who have made a difference in their lives.
"All four volunteers show such compassion and kindness to young people. I know their dedication will be remembered long after the children complete their school years," said Mayor Sam Katz. "It is a privilege to present the Senior of the Year Awards to people who are so giving of their time and their talents."
Jim and Margaret MacKay, winners of the Community Service Award, are the founders of PALS, the Pet and Learning in Schools program. PALS is a reading assistance program, at first for autistic and adaptive skills students, but now expanded to include all children. Therapy dogs Digby, Phlirt and Piper assist children overcome nervousness, improve their social skills and learn the value of kindness to animals.
Sheila Milner, winner of the Arts Award, is the founder of the Laura Milner White Foundation, which provides enrichment opportunities to students. Through Sheila Milner's efforts, students have received private music lessons from volunteers. In addition, she is responsible for creating the Kids in the Kitchen after school nutrition program and has assisted in literacy development by bringing books to inner city schools via book drives.
Janie Marshall, winner of the Education Award, has worked as a school classroom volunteer since 2007. She is much beloved at Bairdmore school, where she visits weekly, delivering assistance to students and desserts to teachers! Janie Marshall is especially known for providing reading, writing and speaking assistance to students learning English as an additional language.
2012 marks the fourth year of the Mayor's Senior of the Year Awards, created as a suggestion of the Mayor's Senior Advisory Committee.
The 2012 Senior of the Year Awards
For Community Service: Jim and Margaret MacKay
Nominated by Shayleen Costello from Greenway School
For Arts: Sheila Milner
Nominated by Grace Moore and Havanah Soldier, Mulvey School
For Education: Janie Marshall
Nominated by Nicholas Guiboche, Bairdmore School
Photos available upon request.