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January 8, 2007 CALL FOR NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR NEW PREMIER'S HEALTHY LIVING AWARD FOR YOUTHHealthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross is calling on Manitobans to nominate outstanding young people for the new Premier’s Healthy Living Award for Youth.
“Manitoba youth are making a tremendous difference by encouraging healthy lifestyles in their communities and I applaud their enthusiasm and dedication,” said Irvin-Ross. “This award is an excellent chance to recognize youth working in the areas of healthy living so we can publicly acknowledge their successes and thank them for their hard work.”
The Premier’s Healthy Living Award for Youth recognizes the contributions and achievements of youth who serve as positive role models for other children and youth and/or have made outstanding contributions to the community in the areas of healthy living. Eligible healthy living achievements will focus on physical activity, healthy eating and reduction in tobacco use.
“We want all Manitobans to submit nominations but we are particularly interested in hearing directly from youth about who is making a difference,” said Irvin-Ross. “I am challenging all Manitoba young people to nominate eligible friends and classmates and tell us who deserves this award celebrating the future of healthy living in Manitoba.”
Youth aged 12 to 18 will be eligible to receive the award. All nominations require the support of two individuals and/or organizations, such as teachers, coaches, mentors, community or service club volunteers. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 23.
In partnership with the Manitoba Cardiac Institute (Reh-Fit) Centre Inc., the first award will be presented at the Ninth Annual Reh-Fit Centre Foundation’s Healthy Living Awards dinner on April 18 at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg.
“The healthy living awards allow us to celebrate those in our community who serve as role models for healthy, active living,” said Sue Boreskie, executive director for the Manitoba Cardiac Institute
(Reh-Fit) Centre Inc. “The healthy living awards are a proud tradition for the centre and we are thrilled to have the province become a part of that.” The premier also noted the province is creating a subcommittee of the MB4Youth Advisory Council to deal specifically with healthy living issues.
“The council was created to provide feedback on issues relating to youth, such as jobs, education, leadership and citizen engagement,” said Irvin-Ross. “This new subcommittee will give youth the opportunity to get involved and give us direct advice and recommendations about the healthy living issues that affect the health of young people every day.”
The creation of the Premier’s Healthy Living Award for Youth and the development of the MB4Youth subcommittee on healthy living both meet key recommendations of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force report, which recommended government undertake a variety of initiatives to promote healthy living.
Nomination forms for the awards can be found at http://www.reh-fit.com.
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