VOLUNTEER MEDAL NOMINATION DEADLINE APPROACHING

Saskatchewan residents have until October 18 to nominate individuals for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.

The 2006 Canadian Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating shows Saskatchewan leads all other provinces and territories in volunteerism. The survey reflects a voluntarism rate of 54 per cent for citizens 15 years of age and older in the province, well above the national rate of 45 per cent. The high rate of voluntarism in Saskatchewan contributed to 80.6 million hours of volunteer service in 2004.

People have the opportunity to recognize hard-working volunteers in their communities by nominating them for the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, which recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding volunteer service or demonstrated exceptional community involvement.

Any Canadian citizen who is a current or former long-term resident of Saskatchewan is eligible for nomination. The only exceptions are presently serving members of Parliament or the Legislature and members of the judiciary. Groups or organizations cannot be nominated. Posthumous nominations are not accepted.

The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal has been presented to 104 outstanding individuals since its inception in 1995.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal or to obtain nominations forms, please visit www.gr.gov.sk.ca/protocol or call toll-free 1-877-427-5505.

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For more information, contact:

Donna-Rae Crooks
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2155
Cell: 306-529-8631