We have been filling our news pages with stories of how our political candidates plan to invoke changes that will see growth and stability among our residents and businesses.

Now, we’re going to show you examples of how so many of our youth are already giving of their time and energy to make this a great place to live and work. These young people intuitively understand what the word ‘community’ is really about and unselfishly give of themselves by volunteering with different local groups and clubs, at school, at churches, with sports, and more.

That’s why this newspaper strongly supports the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards here in Hamilton, so we can provide recognition for outstanding young people who are, and will continue to be, leaders in our city. The awards program is co-ordinated by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), of which we are a member, and sponsored by TD Canada Trust.

Any Ontario resident aged six-17 is eligible to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Please help us by nominating an individual in one of four areas:

• A person involved in worthwhile community service.

• A special young person contributing to their community while living with a physical or psychological limitation.

• An individual who has performed an act of heroism in the past year.

• Good kids who show a commit- to make life better for others and do more than is norm expected of someone their age.

Each nominee will receive a certificate of recognition. Up to 12 of the nominees and one group will be chosen as the final recipients of the provincial Award and invited to a special ceremony held in Toronto in Spring, 2009.

Your vote counts with this newspaper. Nominate an outstanding young person today, and we will personally present them with a certificate of recognition and showcase their contributions in this newspaper. Help us to pay tribute to our leaders of today and tomorrow.

Nomination deadline for the 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards is November 30.

Nomination forms are available at www.ocna.org or by calling OCNA at 905-639-8720 ext 228.