North Delta Rotarian Lana Hart (left), Delta school trustee Dale Saip, police chief Jim Cessford, Tsawwassen Rotary Club president Marilyn Rafter and Tsawwassen Rotarian Leslie Abramson pose for a photo to promote the new Rotary youth awards.
Chung Chow photo

Nominations sought for new awards program that culminates with gala next month at Town & Country Inn

Dave Willis reports in The Delta Optimist Wednesday, March 04, 2009 Delta's Rotary clubs are teaming up to recognize youth.

The local service groups are putting together an awards event next month and are looking for nominations from the public.

"We've got the schools involved, the churches involved and the non-profit organizations but now we need the community to find that kid on their block or that person in their neighbourhood that does good things in the community and goes unnoticed," said Tsawwassen Rotary Club member Leslie Abramson. "We know those kids are out there."

Nomination forms were sent out to schools and community groups and there's one in this edition of the Optimist. Tsawwassen Rotary Club president Marilyn Rafter said the awards are an effort to give kudos to those who don't usually receive it and for youth who do things from their heart. "Kids who look at what's needed and take it on themselves and say, 'I want to do this,'" said Rafter, who mentioned raising money for charity or volunteering with seniors as examples.

Rafter noted she and Abramson attended a Rotary conference in L.A. last year where the group's international president talked about youth being a theme for 2008/09.

"I knew in my year I really wanted to do something for youth," Rafter said. The school district and the police department are also onboard with the awards program.

"We believe every child in this community has the potential to do great things," said Delta school board chairperson Dale Saip. Police chief Jim Cessford said the awards are another step in developing youth for the future.

There will be an awards night on April 25 at the Delta Town & Country Inn at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Nominations should be submitted by March 15.

Mail nominations to PO Box 1405, Delta, B.C., V4M 3Y8 or drop them off at Cran & Stuart, 201-4882 Delta St., Ladner; Iris, 1202D-56th St., Tsawwassen; or the Firehall Centre for the Arts, 11489- 84th Ave., North Delta.

For more information on Rotary's awards program contact Leslie at 604-946-0672, Lana at 604-596-9608 or Kay at 604-501-4210.