Outstanding Youth Philanthropist winner JD Muir poses with Lyndsey Pankratz, SaskTel Project Manager in charge of I Am Stronger.

For more than two decades, hundreds of communities across Canada have come together to recognize the immeasurable impacts of philanthropy.  National Philanthropy Day ® is officially recognized in Canada on November 15^th each year, and is celebrated by government leaders, fundraisers, businesses, individuals, and community groups. 

November 15, 2016 marked an exciting day in the Southern Saskatchewan community as 27 individuals, organizations, and community groups were recognized for the amazing philanthropic contributions they have made in our community.  Over 250 people gathered at the Conexus Arts Centre to celebrate at Regina’s 15^th annual luncheon.

It also marked a day of pride for SaskTel…

Two of SaskTel’s I Am Stronger grant recipients – Haig School and JD Muir – were recognized for their kindness efforts and received awards for being Outstanding Youth Philanthropists. 

Haig School RAK Pack members pose with their punch before the award ceremony begins.

Haig School, located in Weyburn, SK, has been very active in promoting kindness in their school and community.  Their “Random Acts of Kindness” (RAK) Pack group is comprised of 35 grade five and six students who meet once a week to plan kindness activities and initiatives.  They have received two I Am Stronger grants so far, and they don’t plan to slow down any time soon.  More information about the RAK Pack can be found here.

JD Muir is a grade 12 student from FW Johnson Collegiate in Regina, SK.  Earlier this year, JD came up with a “Compliment Cookies” project where he handed out cookies with hand-written compliments on them to all of the kids at his school.  The over 500 cookies brought smiles to everyone’s face, and helped to spread kindness.  To read more about JD’s Compliment Cookies, please click here.

“SaskTel is extremely proud of the accomplishments of these two recipients,” said Lyndsey Pankratz, SaskTel’s Project Manager in charge of the I Am Stronger program.  “It is clear that they are just getting started, and that the philanthropic community will continue to be positively impacted by their many contributions.”

To find out more about National Philanthropy Day, visit their website.