As your Member of Provincial Parliament, I am hosting a program to recognize exceptional sport and recreation volunteers in our community; Celebration 2010: Community Sports Hero Award Program. The goal is to recognize and honour the unsung heroes of community sport and recreation: coaches, association members, trainers, conveners, fundraisers, drivers, chaperones, etc, in the spirit of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Perhaps it is the individual who has been going out when it’s 30 below to flood the community rink for the past decade; someone who has coached Little League baseball for 25 years; or sold chocolate bars by the dozens for a minor hockey team. These volunteers are the backbone of community sports and recreation in Ontario and contribute immeasurably to the development and experience of athletes of all ages and levels of competitiveness.

Award recipients will be invited along with their families to attend a reception in the New Year and will be presented with a recognition certificate signed by the Premier of Ontario and a specially minted, limited edition Celebration 2010 medal. Only 25 recipients will be selected from Ottawa Centre and the deadline for nominations is November 13, 2009.

I encourage you to submit nominations for this award in less than 500 words to me at 411 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 204, Ottawa, ON, K2A 3X9, or ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. Please be sure to include your contact information and the contact information of the nominee in your nomination letter.

There is never a bad time to thank someone special. I challenge you to look to your neighbours, colleagues, friends and family and recognize the unique and wonderful ways that people are giving back. It is time to give these unsung heroes a great big THANK YOU!

I look forward to receiving the nominations for Celebrate 2010 and hearing about the great work in our community.