Literacy is an often overlooked issue facing close to nine million Canadians, but two organizations are working to raise public awareness with two special awards.
ABC Canada
Professional journalists working in Canada are eligible to compete in ABC Canada’s Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit, which recognizes the contributions of the media in raising awareness about adult literacy issues.
The competition deadline is June 20, 2008, and journalists can nominate themselves, or a journalist deserving of the recognition. The winner will be recognized at an event in Toronto on September 17, and a $1000 donation will be made in the journalist’s name to a literacy organization of their choice.
The award was named after long-time ABC Canada board member and journalist Peter Gzowski who was an avid literacy supporter. Through Gzowski’s PGI Golf Tournaments for Literacy, the ABC Canada has raised over $10 million.
Visit ABC Canada at www.abc-canada.org for more on the award and to get information about the organization’s adult literacy initiatives.
Canada Post
Launched 15 years ago, the Canada Post Community Literacy Awards celebrate the vital contributions of both teachers and learners. The award recognizes “Canadians who have made a special effort or an important contribution to literacy.”
The nomination period closes on May 23, 2008 and anyone can nominate an individual or educator who they feel has made a difference in their hometown.
Award winners in the two categories, Individual Achievement and Educator, will receive a cash award with a framed, personalized certificate of achievement.
Read the eligibility requirements and find out how to enter the awards on the Canada Post website.