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