Sweet change rewards community service - starting young

The Centre for Social Justice and Good Works is behind a sweet new contest designed to help kids take a compassionate interest in their community.

As reported earlier by SooToday, Sweet Change Good Deeds Program closes soon.

The centre wants to hear from or about children aged 6-13 who have done a good deed for their friends, family, community or the environment.

"We wanted to really encourage young people from the age of six to 13, which was the age group of our 'I Love to Move' program where we supply free recreation to children," said Frank Sarlo, a founder of the Centre for Social Justice and Good Works. "The idea was to get them moving but to also add another element where we could teach them about good deeds and encourage them to go out and help their family and friends, their community and the environment."

The centre had a book written and a mascot created to help draw attention to the good deeds program and attract the interest of children who might like to be recognized for good deeds.

The prizes help too.

Children selected for recognition will be invited to a Sweet Change Good Deeds Awards Event where they will receive a certificate, a copy of Sweet Change the Chocolate Bear storybook, Sweet Change coins, a chocolate bear, chances to meet and take photos with local heroes and Sweet Change the Chocolate Bear mascot.

One lucky child will even win a $500 gift certificate.

Sarlo said a driving force behind the program was a desire to cultivate future leaders who would grow up to become pillars of a thriving community. He said the centre wanted to encourage children to do the work needed to do big things.

"We knew we had a community that was built for that because our people here are really great," he said.

To enter yourself or another child in the good deeds program, email [email protected] or send/drop the information at the centre located at 3 Queen Street East, P6A 1Y4.

The entry must include the name of the child being nominated, a description of the good deeds performed by the child, and an email, phone number as well as home address for the child. 

Deadline for entry is Monday, Nov. 9, 2021.

Sarlo said the primary goal of the program is to empower children to improve people's lives and that of the earth as well as their own lives as they realize the rewards, both internal and external, that come from helping others.