Benjamin Grant of Kay Bingham Elementary was the recipient of a United Way Youth Leadership Award in May 2009.   Read below for Benjamin’s story:

We would like to nominate Benjamin Grant because of his eagerness to volunteer in the community and for taking the initiative to raise money for an important cause. He has developed many leadership skills in our school’s Leadership Program and he has been given many opportunities by his mom to do things for others.

Last year, Benjamin took it upon himself to raise money for cancer. The disease has affected family members, so he felt strongly about the cause. Benjamin reached his goal and had his head shaved at Aberdeen Mall.

Benjamin’s mom has given him lots of opportunities to volunteer in the community. Currently, she is actively involved in Special Olympics and Boogie the Bridge. Due to her participation, Benjamin happily volunteers in these activities with her.

Helping to raise money for cancer made many people aware of the disease, especially those at his school. He did presentations to classmates and made other youth aware of the disease. A woman from the Cancer Society came to talk with some of the students, which also brought the cause to the forefront.

Benjamin is always willing to offer his time to help others. At the school, if you ask him to do something, he is able to complete the task well and independently. I am sure these qualities carry through when he is helping with odd jobs for the Special Olympics and Boogie the Bridge.

Benjamin receiving his award

Another successful Day of Caring took place on Tuesday, May 26^th, when volunteers from NRI Distribution again stepped up to the plate to paint the warehouse at the Kamloops Food Bank Food Action Centre. A team of 10 volunteers from NRI came together with Kari Benton and the staff from the Food Bank to paint the warehouse, bathroom, shelving units and hallway.  The 6 hour project was broken up for a delicious lunch and tour of the site. As always, the team of volunteers did a fantastic job of painting to give the warehouse a bright new look.

Day of Caring is an annual community initiative designed to foster a sense of caring through volunteerism. It is not a fund-raising event, but an opportunity for businesses and their employees to undertake worthwhile projects for non-profit organizations. To get involved, please contact your local United Way.

Happy volunteers!

Food Bank employees help out too

Stretch and reach!

Kari Benton of the Food Bank (far left) and all the great NRI volunteers

United Way’s Youth Advisory Council created Youth Initiative Grants to support projects developed by youth, for youth. Groups of youth or individuals can apply  for funds to lead a project in their community.

On May 26th, Kay Bingham Elementary students from Ms. Chan’s class  received a Youth Initiative Grant for $635 to beautify a courtyard in their school. United Way is proud to partner with School District #73 for the second year through this initiative.

Courtyard Beautification Project.

Students from K-7 will clean up and prepare the courtyard at their school, Kay Bingham Elementary, and plant and maintain a flower and vegetable garden. The bulbs, flowers, and vegetables from the garden will be sold yearly in the community. The project will promote healthy eating, sustainability, community involvement, and foster respect for the environment and the property of others.

Visit www.unitedwaytnc.ca/youthengagement for more information.

A group of community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, interested citizens and businesses whose shared goal is to eradicate poverty in Kamloops.

Next meeting:

Wednesday, May 27th @ 8am

Kamloops United Church

Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre in 100 Mile House got a brand new paint job Wednesday courtesy of Williams Lake and District Credit Union - 100 Mile Branch. The bank employees donated their time for one of United Way’s Days of Caring - an annual community initiative designed to foster a sense of caring through volunteerism. It is not a fund-raising event, but an opportunity for businesses and their employees to undertake worthwhile projects for non-profit organizations.

Thank you to all the hard-working volunteers! Job well done.

On Tuesday, May 12^th, NRI Distribution paired with the Family Tree Family Centre (under the Kamloops Family Resource Society) for a Day of Caring event.  The team of 5 volunteers from NRI came together with Susan and Heather from Family Tree to paint the children’s play area of the facility and tackle a few other building-improvement tasks.  Over 6 hours, the team of volunteers did a fantastic job of taping, painting, drilling and cleaning to dress-up the Centre.

Day of Caring is an annual community initiative designed to foster a sense of caring through volunteerism. It is not a fund-raising event, but an opportunity for businesses and their employees to undertake worthwhile projects for non-profit organizations. To get involved, please contact your local United Way.

Volunteers and employees working together

Some of the happy NRI volunteers!

The whole team and the finished product

United Way’s Youth Advisory Council created Youth Initiative Grants to support projects developed by youth, for youth. Groups of youth can apply  for funds to lead a project in their community.

During BC Youth Week (May 1st - 7th) the Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District and Big Brothers Big Sisters Williams Lake received Youth Initiative Grants to fund two local youth projects. Joanne Stacey, Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way, made the presentations.

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United Way’s Youth Advisory Council created Youth Initiative Grants to support projects developed by youth, for youth. Groups of youth can apply  for funds to lead a project in their community.

During BC Youth Week (May 1st - 7th) the Merritt Asset Development Committee received a Youth Initiative Grant for $1000 to hold their annual Youth Celebration Day scheduled for June 2nd, 2009 in Merritt. Youth Advisory Council member, Christine Loney, made the presentation to the leadership class at Merritt Secondary School. The leadership class will be planning and coordinating the event with the Asset Development Committee.

Youth Celebration Day.

This one day celebration will have music, art and information booths from community members, designed to promote positive relationships and to help youth become active assets to themselves and the community. The day will showcase fun activities, volunteering, employment, summer camps, and various other opportunities for youth engagement. The day will celebrate youth and develop a directory for youth for years to come. Students will be transported to the celebration site and encouraged to learn more about their community and how much they are valued as members.

Chair Affair Auction

Presented by:

Kamloops CanGo Grannies

In support of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign

of the Stephen Lewis Foundation

On auction will be over 30 wooden chairs of various styles hand painted by Kamloops artists.

When & Where:

Thursday, May 28, at the Terrace Room, Campus Activity Centre at TRU

5:30-7:00 P.M.  Wine & Appies Reception & Viewing

7:00-8:30 P.M. Live Auction

Tickets: $20.00

Available at:

The Smorgasbord Restaurant, Bookland on the

North Shore, Downtown Movie Mart,

The Artists’ Studio & Gallery in Sahali Mall, and Bookies at TRU

Chairs are on display April 23 to May 18 in conjunction with Artwalk 2009