Nominations Open For Community Care Peterborough's 'Grandparent of the Year' to Children

City and County of Peterborough children in grades 1-6 can honour their elders through Community Care Peterborough’s 36th ‘Grandparent of the Year’ contest.

Photo courtesy of Community Care Peterborough.

Children are asked to submit a hand-drawn picture and a piece of writing that addresses what is important about their relationship with their grandparent, elder or special older person and why they think their nominee should win the award.

“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have a wonderful opportunity to use this contest as an inspiring writing assignment for their students,” said Danielle Belair, Community Care executive director. “We also recognize that not all teachers may know about this opportunity so we have applications available on our website. If your child is in grades one to six and not participating in their class, they are encouraged to take part.”

Grade 1 students are new to this year’s edition of the annual contest.

“Each year we are fascinated by the variety of heartwarming stories we receive,” said Belair. “Many of the honorees are indeed grandparents or great grandparents of the students however there have been a number of entries that highlight a special senior friend, elder or great Aunt or Uncle as well.”

Applications are available and are being accepted at the Peterborough Public Library, with a writing workshop planned for any students including those whose school are not participating.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Library in early June at the ‘Smiles All Around’ event. The winners and honourable mentions will have an opportunity to introduce and present the award to their Grandparent, Elder, or special older person, with photos taken by a local photographer.

A committee will select one winner and one honourable mention from each group of grades; primary and junior in both English and French categories. Primary is Grades 1, 2 and 3 and junior is Grades 4, 5 and 6.

Community Care has suggested several questions for children to think about when describing their nominee:

• What is important about their relationship with their Grandparent, Elder or special older person?

• What kinds of activities are done together?

• What kind of knowledge have they shared with the child?

• Describe a happy occasion the child and their nominee shared.

• How does their nominee make them feel when they are together?

• Why they are proud of their nominee?

• Why the child thinks their nominee should win the award?

All entries must be received by May 7. Entries may be submitted by mail to:

Community Care
185 Hunter St. E.
Peterborough, Ont.
K9H 0H1

They can also be submitted by email to Pamela Beauchamp at pbeauchamp@commcareptbo.org or online in English or French.

Winners will be announced in early June at an in-person event at the Library.

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Winning Grandparents Named at 35th Annual Grandparent of the Year Award Ceremony

Community Care Peterborough (CCP) held its 35th Grandparent of the Year Awards presentation at the Peterborough Public Library on Tuesday.

file photo.

Community Care received almost 200 stories and artwork entries from children this year, telling the organization why their Grandparent should win this award. A panel of volunteer judges chose one winner and two honourable mentions from each group of grades; primary (Grades 2 and 3) and junior (Grades 4, 5, 6).

“After two years of virtual events, it was amazing to return to an in-person awards ceremony hosted by the Peterborough Public Library,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP’s donor relations and communications lead. “There (was) so much pride and happiness felt in the room, a definite ‘Smiles All Around’ event.”

Winners and honourable mentions read their stories and introduced their Grandparent, Elder or special older person to the crowd of about 80 people in attendance. CCP got their story and artwork framed as a gift for the children to present to their grandparents.

Local businesses and organizations also provided prizes for the children and their grandparents, which included Ashburnham Ale House, Boardwalk Board Game Café, Gerri's Arts and Crafts Warehouse, Lakeview Bowl Peterborough, The Little Frozen Yogurt Company, Peterborough Museum & Archives, Peterborough Public Library, Silver Bean Café and Tim Hortons.

Special guest Deputy Warden Sherry Senis presented each of the grandparents the award on behalf of Peterborough County. Local photographer Heather Doughty was onsite for the event, capturing family photos for the winners.

Primary Category – Grades 2 and 3

Primary Winner: Finn Frampton, Grade 3, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Reginald Caley

Primary Honourable Mention: Kylie Beasley, Grade 3, North Shore Public School. Honouring: Grandpa Ken Beasley

Primary Honourable Mention: Launa Hobbs, Grade 2, Monsignor O'Donoghue Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Nana Judy Masters

Junior Category – Grades 4, 5 and 6

Junior Winner: Maya Kubica, Grade 5, École catholique Monseigneur-Jamot. Honouring: Grandad David Peters

Junior Honourable Mention: Molly Cotnam, Grade 6, Apsley Central Public School. Honouring: Grandma Eva Malloy

Junior Honourable Mention: Madeline McBride, Grade 6, St. John Catholic Elementary School. Honouring: Grandpa Dan Burke

“We want to thank every child that entered, they have a participation certificate coming to them,” continued Vandine. “Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received, it was not an easy task for our volunteer judges to choose the winners. Congratulations to Finn (honouring Grandpa Reginald Caley) and Maya (honouring Grandpa Dan Burke) for their winning entries.”

For more information about the annual Grandparent of the Year event, visit the website.

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Community Care’s 35th Annual Grandparent of the Year Award Ceremony to Take Place June 6

Community Care Peterborough is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its intergenerational recognition program, ‘Grandparent of the Year,’ which honours children’s relationship with a Grandparent, Elder or special older person in their lives, with this year’s winners and honourable mentions will be announced on June 6.

photo courtesy of community care peterborough.

Over the years, thousands of school children from across the City and County of Peterborough have nominated a loved one for this award. Children are encouraged to submit a hand-drawn picture and a piece of writing that addresses what is important about their relationship with their Grandparent, Elder or special older person, and why they think their nominee should win the award. 

This year, Community Care received almost 200 entries and their panel of volunteer judges has chosen: one winner and two honourable mentions from each group of grades; primary and junior. Primary is Grades 2 & 3, and junior is Grades 4, 5, & 6.  Submissions were accepted in both English and French.

“We want to thank every child that entered, they have a participation certificate coming to them,” said Alicia Vandine, CCP’s donor relations and communications lead. “Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received, it was not an easy task for our volunteer judges to choose the winners.”

After two years of virtual events, Community Care says they are looking forward to a return to an in-person awards ceremony on June 6 at 6 p.m. at the lower level Community Room in the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. N, Peterborough).

For more information about the annual Grandparent of the Year event, visit the website.

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Community Care Grandparent of the Year Submission Deadline Extended

Community Care Peterborough has extended the deadline for ‘Grandparents of the Year’ submissions to May 9, encouraging children from Grades 2 through 6 to recognize a grandparent, elder or a special older person in their life as ‘Grandparent of the Year.’

photo courtesy of community care peterborough.

For the past 35 years, Community Care says they are amazed by the scope of stories/nominations they receive annually. Many of the honourees are indeed grandparents or great grandparents of the students; however, there have been a number of entries that highlight a special senior friend or an Elder who has shared their knowledge with the child.

Students are instructed to submit both a hand-drawn picture of themselves with their nominee as well as a piece of writing that answers some of the following questions:

• What is important about your relationship with your Grandparent, Elder or special older person?

• What kinds of activities do you enjoy together?

• What kind of knowledge have they shared with you?

• Describe a happy occasion you shared together.

• How does your nominee make your feel when you are together?

• Why are you proud of your Grandparent, Elder, or special older person?

• Why do you think they should win this award?

Optionally, students can submit a recorded video of them reading their story. This is not required, and will not affect judging.
Entries in both English and French are selected.

A committee will select one winner and one honourable mention from each group of grades; primary and junior. Primary is Grades 2 & 3. Junior is Grades 4, 5 & 6.

Eight Awards Will Be Presented to Children:

• Certificates for all participants

• One winner for primary level, grade 2 and 3, in each English and French categories

• One winner for junior level, grades 4, 5, and 6, in each English and French categories

• Honourable Mentions selected in each category

8 Awards Will Be presented to the nominated Grandparents.

Parents and/or guardians can submit their children’s entries online or use a downloadable entry form and mail/drop off them at Community Care Peterborough (185 Hunter St. E.).

For more information, contact Pamela at (705) 742-7067, ext. 221.

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34th Annual Grandparents Of The Year Awards Have Been Announced

The City and County of Peterborough has announced the winners of the 34th annual Grandparent of the Year awards.

Each year Community Care has encouraged children from grade 2 through grade 6 to recognize a Grandparent, Elder or a special older person in their life, as "Grandparent of the Year".

This year Community Care received over 150 nominations in 4 categories.

The two traditional categories of primary division for students in grades 2 and 3 and junior division for students in grades 4, 5 and 6 and new this year, two categories were created in order to accept submissions in French, adding a primary French and junior French division so that students could practice their French language skills too.

“The children shared so many wonderful stories and artwork with us,” said Danielle Belair – Executive Director of Community Care. “It is always difficult for the judges to choose an honourable mention and winner in 4 categories.”

Honourable Mention and Winners by category:

In the primary English division:

• Honourable Mention - Mahi from Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated her Nan, Sree Pathak from Katy, Texas.

• Winner – Everley from St. Joseph C.E.S. – nominated her Nan, Mary Jane Jackman from Lakefield.

In the primary French division:

• Honourable Mention – Felix from Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated his Grandparents Debbie and Wes LeBreton of Aldergove, B.C.

• Winner – Faela from Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated her Grandpa Peter Minten of Strathroy.

In the junior English division:

• Honourable Mention – Mac from St. Anne’s C.E.S. – nominated her Grandpa David Ingram of Douro – Dummer.

• Winner – Linden Dow – St. Joseph C.E.S. – nominated his Grandpa Bruce Rogers who lives near Indian River

In the junior French division:

• Honourable Mention - Madelyn from Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated her Grandpa Peter McKeiver

• Winner – Willa from Kaawaate East City Public School – nominated her Grandma Bonnie Bradley from Mount Albert.

Mary Jane Jackman from Lakefield, Peter Minten of Strathroy, Bruce Rogers who lives near Indian River and Bonnie Bradley from Mount Albert have all been declared the 2022 Grandparents of the Year.

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Adopt a Grandparent Campaign To Bring Christmas Cheer To Rubidge Retirement Residence

Michelle Allen, who’s grandparents live at Rubidge Retirement Residence, is hosting an ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ campaign with her young daughters in hopes to bring the Christmas spirit to residents.

Michelle Allen’s Grandfather Carmelo Grixti. Photo courtesy of Allen.

Allen’s grandparents moved from their home in Toronto to Rubidge Retirement Residence last year to be closer to their daughter that lives in Buckhorn.

“I was there not too long ago and just seeing my grandparents changed completely just made me feel like they need a little bit extra this year,” said Allen. “They were taken from their house that they raised their entire family in, and now they’re in a tiny little room, they don’t go anywhere. Those people did everything for me when I was growing up and now seeing them - it’s hard.”

In hopes to make the holidays feel a bit more comfortable, Allen, her daughters and her daughters classes are making cards and gift bags for residents.

With one donation of $25 supporters will ‘adopt’ a grandparent. With that donation each grandparent will receive a top-of-the-line bottle of foot/hand lotion, a pair of cozy socks, and personalized Christmas card.

Photo courtesy of Allen.

Allan is aiming to have all 142 residents and staff ’adopted’ by the first week of December so her and her daughters have enough time to wrap each gift and hand deliver them.

“It’s instilling in my daughters that the season isn’t about ‘what’s Santa bringing me’ it’s about giving to others and getting joy from that.”

To donate, reach out to Michelle at 647-989-0147 or at mallen88@live.com with any questions, or with an e-transfer.

Anyone that donated will be entered in a draw to win a gift basket.

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Community Care Seeking Nominations For "Grandparent of the Year" From Children

Kids grade 2-6 have a chance to highlight their elders through Community Care Peterborough in the “Grandparent of the Year” contest for the 35th rendition announced on Wednesday.

“Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received,” said Danielle Belair, Community Care executive director. “Many of the honorees are indeed grandparents or great grandparents of the students however there have been a number of entries that highlight an Elder or special senior friend as well.”

Community Care has three categories to highlight the relationships with the special people in our children’s lives. They are: English language, French language and Indigenous entries.

“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have had the opportunity to use the contest as a writing assignment for their students,” said Belair. “We also recognize that not all teachers will know about this opportunity so we opening it up to the public too and will accept entries until December 3rd. If your child is in grades 2 to 6 and not participating with their class, you can enter their story and picture too.”

A committee will select one winner and one honourable mention from each group of grades; primary and junior and each category. (Primary is Grades 2 & 3. Junior is Grades 4, 5, & 6)

Community Care would like the student to include the following information in their submission:

• What they think is important about their relationship with their grandparent, elder or special older person.

• What kinds of activities are done together?

• What kind of knowledge have they shared?

• Describe a happy occasion the student and their nominee shared.

• How does their nominee make them feel when you are together?

• Why they are proud of their nominee?

• Why does the student think their nominee should win this award?

• A hand-drawn picture of the student and their nominee together.

Optional: A student can submit a recorded video of them reading their story. This is not required and will not affect judging.

“This 'SMILES ALL AROUND’ event is too important to our community to cancel,” said Belair. “It's more important than ever to share some positive stories about important people who are in our lives.”

All entries must be received by Dec. 3rd. Entries may be submitted by mail:

Community Care

185 Hunter Street East

Peterborough, ON

K9H 0H1

Attn: Tracy Kennedy.

They can also be submitted by email to tkennedy@commcareptbo.org.

Winners will be announced in mid-February.

For parent entry forms or more information about the Grandparent of the Year event visit this link.

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