2009 Ontario Junior Citizens announced

Community involvement is indeed alive and well in Ontario.

Part of that statement is due to the fact the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA) received 130 nominations for the 2009 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards program. In towns and cities across the province, young people are dedicating their time and energy to causes and community groups that have a lasting impact on their communities and around the world.

The final recipients of the 2009 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are truly an exemplary group of individuals whose stories show a wonderful collection of leadership, determination, passion, initiative, creativity and motivation.

"Ontario's Community Newspapers are very pleased to showcase the contributions of these young people who are so deserving of recognition," said OCNA President Abbas Homayed.

Below are stories of some of the final recipients. See http://www.ocna.org/junior_citizen for the full list. The Awards Ceremony will be officiated by the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Queen's Park in Toronto on March 29.

Kyle Druzina, 12, Fonthill: This is a great story of how small things can have a huge impact. Inspired by photos and stories of a family friend on a Wells of Hope mission in Guatemala, Kyle initiated a fundraiser at his school. After approaching a local business to donate 500 pickle jars to the cause, he challenged his classmates to put a penny in a jar every day. When the jars were poured into the Wells of Hope wagon, they had raised more than $4,000. His initiative is now spreading to other Niagara schools.

Jack Fazzari, 10, and Rylan Johnson, 11, Welland: Most children look to friends, family, or video games for something to do when boredom strikes over summer break, but not Jack and Rylan. Rather than head to the pool, these young entrepreneurs started their own business, Good Ideas Inc., to raise money for the Welland Hospital Foundation. By writing and selling their own newspaper and organizing various fundraising events like a car wash, garage sale, book sale and Christmas party, Jack and Rylan have raised about $2,000, and inspired others in their community to contribute.

Alnoor Gowani, 13, Minden: What was supposed to be a fun Friday night with two teenage friends swinging from a rope into the Gull River, turned into a desperate effort to save a man's life. With no regard to the danger he was putting himself in, Alnoor swam into the river to rescue a drowning 30-year-old man. He was able to take hold of the man's hands, get him to kick his feet, and swam him to shore safely. All the while calling out for help.

Calvin Green, 14, Callander: It has been three years since Calvin declared that no child should have a sad birthday, and that is when he founded Cal's Club. Each week since then, he has devoted time and money to purchase, collect and distribute gift bags containing a cake mix, icing, candles, and a toy to area food banks, and has helped more than 1,200 children have a happy birthday. Over the years he has also sought corporate donations and peer support to gather Mother's Day bags for a local shelter and the food bank, as well as Christmas bags for children whose mothers attend university.

Abigayle Lennox, 9, Cambridge: Abby was born with a cleft hand, but is happy to make speeches at her school about why it's okay to be different. She has already overcome awareness and understanding issues and actively participates in numerous sports and after school activities, including baseball, piano, and working as a newspaper carrier.

Lageishon Mohanadas, 17, Toronto: His passion and perseverance to eradicate gun and gang violence that put youth at risk is inspiring - and making a difference. Lageishon, who excels at academics, athletics and the arts, is a true leader and involved in many worthy organizations. He has inspired thousands of youth to be involved and responsible citizens.
Makayla Pereira, 12, Orangeville: Young Makayla may be petite, but she has a big heart. She learned of a three-year-old boy who had died from cancer and was so moved she has organized Aiden's Walk for the past three years. The five-kilometre walk through Brampton to honour him and raise awareness has brought in $15,000 to date. This year, her younger brother was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, and Makayla took herself to task again. While her parents started 'Jack's Fight for a Cure,' she spent time handcrafting bracelets which she sold on her website and on Facebook to raise money for research. So far Makayla has sold $3,000 worth of bracelets.

Corrina Serda, 13, Port Elgin: Finding 'your passion' is something that happened to Corrina at the age of 10, when she started to learn about the global impacts of climate change. A few years later, she is in the top 10 presenters trained by Al Gore, and has reached more than 25,000 people with her powerful presentation on climate change and environmental issues. If each of these people implement only one of her suggestions and inspire two others to do the same, more than 75,000 green acts would have been achieved across Ontario.

Emma Ulakovic, 17, Cambridge: Emma has a passion for speed skating and basketball, and it shows in the many hours she devotes each week to both sports. While a chronic injury now keeps her off the ice and the court, Emma does not complain but instead contributes in other ways. She can now be found at the rink coaching young speed skaters or at the gym managing her school basketball team. Despite such a busy schedule, Emma still has the time to be an immeasurable source of strength and support for her mother who suffers from a rare form of cancer.

Zachary Winkler, 8, Thornhill: For the past three years, Zachary has devoted much time and effort to raise awareness and more than $5,000 for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. Do Something Sweet annually features him handing out cotton candy and is hosted in his family's driveway. Donate what you can is his motto. This year he included a magician, face painter, and donated t-shirts to raise more than $3,000 that day. His heightened awareness of social issues at such a young age has also spurred his involvement in school and community events.