Canada: Charity-conscious Caroline D'Souza (12) Bags 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen Award

Media Release
 
Toronto, Canada, Jan 26: Caroline D'Souza, 12, daughter of Kevin D'Souza (of Belgaum origin) and Lovina nee Rodricks (of Bappalige-Puttur origin), both of Mangalorean roots - now domiciled in Toronto, Canada - has been chosen to receive "2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award". She is one among the twelve recipients for 2008. The award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution to the community.

This year there were 117 nominees from across Ontario, who are being recognized with certificates of recognition by their local community newspapers.

The announcement of the award to Caroline states that "Between homework, Air Cadets, sports, music lessons, writing, and church activities, Caroline still has time to contribute to her community. Since Grade 3 she has been volunteering during recess to help students with special needs. She spends her weekends helping both at her church and local seniors home. Caroline has also sold short stories she had written to raise money for "We Care 4 Children", a fund she started to benefit children in India."
Her heart beats for charity

At a tender age of 7, Caroline D' Souza penned her first two stories and sold them to family and friends to raise funds for needy children in India.
 
The now 12-year-old Caroline handwrites and illustrates the 15-page stories, then her parents type them up on the computer, photocopy and staple them together. "I just like using my imagination a lot," says Caroline.
Caroline's first story, called 'Tools or Toys', is about a boy who learns the difference between tools and toys. Tools can be dangerous and cause hurt while toys are for everyone to play with. Her other story, 'A Dream Come True', is about a girl who raises enough money to buy a unicorn by helping around the neighbourhood.
She's sells the stories for $1 or $2, so far earning a good sum. 
At the suggestion of her father Kevin, Caroline donated all the money to 'We Care', a registered charity in India that her father's family started ten years ago as a 75th birthday present for Caroline's grandmother. It has since grown into a public charity helping to educate primarily women and children.

More on the award

The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are run through the 322 member newspapers of OCNA with the support of our sponsor TD Canada Trust. Nominations of eligible youth, ages 6 to 17, are received each fall through member community newspapers committed to recognizing outstanding youth who are making a difference in their communities. A panel of volunteer judges must unanimously decide on the final recipients.

The Awards Ceremony will be officiated by Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Queen's Park on March 3, 2009. Caroline's parents Kevin and Lovina are among the immediate families besides the recipients who have been invited to this special presentation in Toronto.

The final recipients of the 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are a wonderful cross section of individuals who are making a difference to both their hometowns and communities around the globe. They are an inspiring and determined group who not only see a need, but rise to the challenge and contribute their time and energy to making improvements. Their leadership skills are evident.

Abbas Homayed, President of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), is extremely pleased to see the strong sense of community instilled in this group of outstanding young people. "To see such commitment and dedication to the people and groups within their cities and towns at such a young age is very impressive," said Homayed. "We are very proud to be recognizing the achievements of this group of final recipients, as well as all the nominees, in our community newspapers across Ontario."