News Release

For immediate Release 

ONTARIO YOUTH TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

Her Honour, the Honourable Hilary M. Weston, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will address youth from Boys and Girls Clubs across Ontario who have been awarded post-secondary school scholarships from 7 corporate and private sponsors. The 51 youth will receive this recognition at a special awards ceremony on Sunday, November 4th, 2001 the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in Toronto. Also present at the event will be David Tsubouchi, Chair, Management Board of Cabinet.

Thanks to $110,000 in donations from the Raptors Foundation, Toronto Blue Jays Charitable Foundation, Future Shop, Campbell Soup Company, UPS Canada Ltd., Dr. Lorna Marsden (President of York University), and the Allan Family, 51 young people from across Ontario will be able to go to college or university this year.

Steven Svarnas, 1998 recipient, says, "Most importantly, you have shown me that someone out there really cares about my future and my dreams. I cannot believe the joy and motivation this scholarship has given me."

In 1992, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario established a scholarship fund to assist young students achieve their academic goals. From an initial grant of $4,800 and 6 awards, the program has grown to $110,000 in donations. To date almost $310,000 has been given out to over 300 youth across Ontario.

Tammy Reid, 1997 recipient, says "By investing in our future, one could look at it as "turning diamonds in the rough" into "gems of the future."

Receiving this award is very special for many Club Members who have never before been formally recognized for their involvement with and service to their local Boys and Girls Club.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO) sponsors the Awards Ceremony where the recipients receive their awards directly from their sponsor. Family and friends are also invited to attend and celebrate the achievements of the recipients.

Diane Dias, 1998 recipient, says, "The scholarship that I received last year helped me maintain a high average, pay for some of my tuition/book expenses, and feel a good sense of accomplishment."

Award recipients this year come from the following areas: Brampton, Hamilton, Kingston, Lindsay, London, Oshawa, Ottawa, Pembroke and the Greater Toronto area.

The awards ceremony will take place:

Sunday, November 4th
Reception 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Hilary M. Weston's address - 12:00 noon
Lunch 12:30, Ceremony to follow lunch
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel
Harbour Rooms A & B - 2nd Floor
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, Ontario

Press Representatives are invited to cover this event.

Her Honour, Hilary M. Weston, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario will be the Keynote Speaker at 12:00 noon.

His Honour, David Tsubouchi, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, will be a Guest Speaker at 1:15 p.m.

Representatives from the Raptors Foundation and Toronto Blue Jays Charitable Foundation will be in attendance to make the presentations to the Youth.