Deadline for Neighbourhood Network's Give Back Awards extended due to COVID-19

Honours celebrate volunteers who are graduating high school in Aurora, Georgina, King, Newmarket.

Yorkregion.com
April 2, 2020
Aileen Zangouei

Are you a graduating high school student who is also an outstanding volunteer?

Neighbourhood Network’s annual Give Back Awards wants to celebrate you, and other outstanding volunteer contributions of graduating students from high schools in Aurora, Georgina, King, and Newmarket.

The Give Back Awards application deadline has been extended to April 9 at 4 p.m. due to COVID-19.

Check the eligibility requirements information before applying.

Neighbourhood Network, a non-for-profit division of Magna International Inc. “is about building better communities together and multiplying acts of kindness and generosity throughout our own neighbourhoods,” said Erin Cerenzia, manager of Neighbourhood Network.

During the challenging times posed by COVID-19, Cerenzia believes it is more important than ever to celebrate the heroes and volunteers who step up and give back to make their communities a better place.

"Our Give Back Awards have always been about recognizing the powerful role that youth in our community play, and showcasing the ways they have made positive volunteer contributions," Cerenzia told YorkRegion.com, adding "Neighbourhood Networks's desire to celebrate volunteers doesn't change just because of the circumstances we are currently in."

"If anything, it amplifies the powerful impact that volunteers -- from students to seniors -- have on our community," Cerenzia said.

Neighbourhood Network has made these other adaptations to the program due to COVID-19:

“We have waived the required sponsor endorsement letter, which typically accompanies each Give Back Awards application, to ensure that students who are now at home and unable to connect with a guidance counselor or volunteer coordinator are still able to submit an application,” Cerenzia said.

The traditional Give Back Awards ceremony has also been changed, and will be hosted virtually to celebrate this year’s winners.

Neighbourhood Network is a non-for-profit division of Magna International Inc. The annual awards offer $1,000 to local graduating students who have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to community involvement.

For more information, visit neighbourhoodnetwork.org.