Community Care is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its intergenerational program, “Grandparent of the Year,” that honours children’s relationships with a Grandparent, Elder, or a special older person in their lives.
Over the years, thousands of school children from across the City and County of Peterborough have nominated a loved one for the 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.
For the first time, Community Care is excited to have partnered with the Peterborough Public Library to help spread the word of Grandparent of the Year to more children and their families who may not have heard of the project.
“Teachers in the City and County of Peterborough have had the opportunity to use the contest as a writing assignment for their students,” said Danielle Belair – Executive Director of Community Care. “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 May 1st. If your child is in grades 2 to 6 and not participating in their class you can enter their story and pictures too.”
Community Care has been fascinated over the years by the unique and heartwarming stories received by children nominating their loved ones. Often the honourees are indeed grandparents or great-grandparents of the students; however, there have been entries that highlight an Elder or a special senior friend as well.
“Every year we are amazed by the scope of stories we have received,” added Belair. “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.”
This year, Community Care is looking forward to a return to an in-person awards ceremony in early June, an occasion they refer to as a ‘Smiles All Around’ event. The winners and runner-ups 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 2 & 3, and 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 the student thinks their nominee should win this award?
- 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.
All entries must be received by Monday, May 1st. Entries may be submitted by mail, Community Care, 185 Hunter Street East, Peterborough, ON, K9H 0H1, Attn: Pamela Beauchamp. They can also be submitted by email to: pbeauchamp@commcareptbo.org.
Winners will be announced in early June at an in-person event at the Peterborough Public Library.
For entry forms or more information about the Grandparent of the Year event, visit: https://www.commcareptbo.org/grandparentoftheyear
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