Every year, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association invites citizens to select tomorrow’s leaders. Youth aged six to 17 who are involved in bettering their communities and the world can be nominated to receive an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award.
This year, two Northern Life carriers and Confederation Secondary School’s rock band Evolutionary were nominated. They were part of a group that included 107 outstanding youth.
A carrier who cares
When Britney Belanger Leppanen delivers copies of Northern Life near her Chelmsford home, she goes beyond what most would expect from a 12-year-old.
She knocks on doors to hand-deliver papers to residents who have difficulty getting around, and even returns their empty blue boxes from the side of the road.
Britney Belanger Leppanen
“I don’t like having to see old people — because most of the people I deliver papers to are older — limp along the way with their canes or walkers just to put their recycling bins away,” the Grade 7 student said.
On top of her paper route, Belanger Leppanen also helps look after her younger cousins. She also takes dance classes to help her keep her body limber. Since she has cerebral palsy, Belanger Leppanen said she has to do stretches nightly.
Belanger Leppanen was nominated for an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award by “a good friend and neighbour.”
Gail Gaudette said she has known Belanger Leppanen for about two years, and has been impressed with her attitude.
“She’s very good to me,” Gaudette said. “When she brings the papers, she knocks on my door so I don’t have to go outside, and she collects canned (food) for the needy.”
Belanger Leppanen said while going to school at Marymount Academy, she heard the “Good Samaritan” story. She said it was about a nice member of the community who helped a fallen person. Belanger Leppanen said she wanted to be like that character, who didn’t “walk away” when someone needed help.
Building bikes and better communities
Brady Nelson is full of big ideas. Before his 12th birthday, Nelson had already given 12 bikes away to less fortunate community members through a “Bikes for Kids” program he started himself.
Brady Nelson
With help from his dad and grandpa, Nelson fixes donated bikes with the hope that everyone in the Donovan will have something to ride.
He said his goal is to keep other kids entertained with bikes, so they won’t have time to get into trouble.
Before Nelson starts working on a bike, he makes sure it is not stolen, then ensures everything “is in working condition” before giving it away.
Greater Sudbury Police Services are working with Nelson, and the city is helping him look for a place to store and fix bikes.
“If you want to do something big, all you have to do is set your mind to it,” Nelson said.
Lori Wall, the community member who nominated Nelson, said the Grade 6 student “has shown incredible leadership.”
Along with the nomination from Wall, Nelson received 20 other supporting nominations from others who appreciate the good things he does for his community.
Frank Elsner, chief of police, said Nelson is “well-known” to residents, community leaders and police officers because of his volunteer work.
Former mayor John Rodriguez said he “exhibits a level of personal commitment I have never seen in children and seldom seen in most adults.”
On top of running the Bikes for Kids program, Nelson is also the Donovan Days ambassador, plays hockey with the Riverside Sharks and delivers Northern Life in his community. Letters from his teachers say he maintains good grades, too.
Next summer, Nelson said he’d like to host a bike race as well as a swap during Donovan Days. Anyone who is interested in helping him repair bikes or making a donation can e-mail [email protected]
