Olivia Wenger has been named the Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce Young Citizen of the Year.
Wenger, 13, received the award at the Excellence Awards Gala at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on May 4.
The award was sponsored by the Wellington North Youth Action Council.
“Young Citizen of the Year, it rewards and recognizes young individuals under the age of 21 making a notable contribution during the current year and those giving outstanding service over a number of years,” said event master of ceremonies Apryl Browning.
Wenger is part of the Mount Forest Fireworks Committee and the Youth Action Council.
“At Christmas time she organized a hygiene box drive for the homeless youths in the Guelph area,” Browning said.
Wenger also helped raised 800 pounds of food and $700 for the Mount Forest food bank through her Halloween walk. She was also the junior ambassador for the 2017 Mount Forest Fall Fair.
“Not only does she have a hectic volunteer schedule, but she’s an accomplished athlete being part of the Arthur Figuring Skating Club and Mount Forest Dance Club,” Browning said.
“She’s an accomplished baby sitter whose services are sought out by many parents who require the service of a mature, kind, helpful young lady to assist with child care in their home …
“She’s the pride and joy of her parents who has an infectious smile, a great sense of humour, coupled with a serious quality of pride in herself and her community.”
However, Wenger said she didn’t do any of her volunteering to receive recognition. She was surprised when she learned about her nomination.
“It was honouring because I wasn’t expecting anything like this because I try to do everything behind the scenes, none of it’s for anything like this,” she said. “So it was surprising and shocking.”
She said volunteering has always been something her family has done and valued.
“It’s always help the community and you’ll be better yourself,” Wenger said. “That’s where you live so it’s better to help others. When you have so much, you can do so much for other people.”
Wenger was up against Ethan Andrews for the Young Citizen of the Year Award.
