Community Care is encouraging Peterborough-area children to nominate a special older person in their lives as ‘Grandparent of the Year’, with nominations due by May 9.
This is the 35th anniversary of the Grandparent of the Year intergenerational program, which was first introduced by Anne Innis, a former volunteer and board member with Community Care, to bring different generations together and celebrate the influence they have on each other.
As well as their grandparents or great-grandparents, children in the City and County of Peterborough can also nominate an Elder or another special older person in their lives with whom they have a relationship. Children are encouraged to submit a hand-drawn picture and a story that describes what is important about the relationship.
“Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received,” says Community Care executive director Danielle Belair. “Many of the honourees 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.”
While Community Care has already distributed Grandparent of the Year information packages and applications to local elementary schools, this year they are also partnering with the Peterborough Public Library to help spread the word to families and children who may not have heard of the program.
“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have had the opportunity to use the contest as a writing assignment for their students,” Belair explains. “We also recognize that not all teachers will know about this opportunity, so we opening it up to public too and will accept entries until May 9th. If your child is in grades 2 to 6 and not participating with their class, you can enter their story and picture too.”
From among the nominations received, a committee will select one winner and one honourable mention for primary level (grades 2 and 3) and junior level (grades 4 to 6) in both English and French categories. All eight children along with their eight nominees will receive a prize. Winners will be announced in early June — Seniors Month in Ontario — at an in-person event at the Peterborough Public Library.
The 35th anniversary year of Grandparent of the Year will see a return to an in-person awards ceremony for the first time since the pandemic began, with the ‘Smiles All Around’ event taking place in early June. Children selected as winners and runner-ups will have an opportunity to introduce and present the award to their nominees as a local photographer captures the moment.
Nominations are due by Tuesday, May 9th. This year, entries can be submitted online in English or French using the form at form.jotform.com/230995944696275.
English and French nomination forms in PDF format are also available at commcareptbo.org/grandparentoftheyear. Completed forms can be submitted to Pamela Beauchamp by email at pbeauchamp@commcareptbo.org or by mail to Community Care, 185 Hunter Street East, Peterborough, ON, K9H 0H1, Attn: Pamela Beauchamp.
Along with a hand-drawn picture of the child and their nominee together, the nomination should include a story that answers some or all of the following questions:
- What does the child think is important about their relationship with their grandparent, Elder, or special older person?
- What kinds of activities do they do together?
- What kind of knowledge has the nominee shared with the child?
- What is a happy occasion the child and their nominee have shared?
- How does their nominee make the child when they are together?
- Why is the child proud of their nominee?
- Why does the child think their nominee should win this award?
If they wish, children can also submit a recorded video of them reading their story (this is not required and will not affect judging).
For more information about the Grandparent of the Year event, visit commcareptbo.org/grandparentoftheyear.
This story was created in partnership with Community Care Peterborough. If your organization or business is interested in a branded editorial, contact us.
