United Way youth volunteer wins Premier's Award

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United Way of Winnipeg proudly congratulates longtime youth volunteer Kanwal Brar on receiving the 2009 Premier's Volunteer Service Award.

We've seen firsthand the enthusiasm and dedication Kanwal offers as a volunteer ever since he first joined the Shaw United Way Youth Connections Council as a high school student.

Kanwal went on to become the first Chair of United Way's Youth Relations Council - the youth-led volunteer group responsible for our overall youth engagement strategy.

"Kanwal has proven himself to be a natural leader," said Eric Friesen, United Way's Director of Engagement. "Over the past six years, through his passionate involvement with a number of United Way youth programs, Kanwal has played a central role in the evolution of this organization's understanding of youth engagement."

• Youth Day of Caring: More than 300 high school students have already participated in what has become an annual event and opportunity for youth to perform community service projects around the city.
• Youth Leaders in Action Scholarship: Over the past three years, a total of $6000 in scholarships has been granted to 12 Winnipeg youth who demonstrate community leadership in connection with a United Way agency partner.

Established in cooperation with Volunteer Manitoba, the Premier's Award honours the efforts and dedication of outstanding volunteers in Manitoba. Kanwal is being recognized in the Youth Leadership category. He joins former fellow United Way youth volunteer Gladys Yeung who received the award last year.

The awards are presented by the Premier during Volunteer Manitoba's annual Volunteer Week Awards Dinner at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. April 19 - 25 is National Volunteer Week.

From compassion to action, volunteers are the heart and soul of everything United Way of Winnipeg does. Their skills, experience and commitment are precisely why our city is recognized as one of Canada's most generous and caring.

Congratulations Kanwal! And thank you for helping create opportunities for a better life for everyone.