Ottawa Heroes to Receive 2009 Crayons & Cravats Award

    
                   Celebrating National Child Day in Canada
                       and the 20th Anniversary of the
             United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
    

OTTAWA , Nov. 13 /CNW/ - The Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH) and the Champions For Children Foundation (CFCF) have combined forces to host the 12th Annual Crayons & Cravats Gala.

On November 17th, 2009 we will pay tribute to three exceptional local members of our community who have worked tirelessly serving our children:

J.J. Clarke of CTV-Ottawa, for his long-standing support of organizations that serve children, including CHEO, the Royal Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Children's Treatment Centre to name only a few.

Nancy MacNider, Executive Director, St. Mary's Home, for her lifelong dedication for pregnant and parenting youth to improve the outcomes for their children.

Alex Munter , Executive Director, Youth Services Bureau, for his ongoing leadership in strengthening community life and in providing support and services to children and youth.

Canadians have been celebrating National Child Day on November 20th annually, which is the anniversary of Canada's adoption of the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This signals Canada's commitment to honouring The United Nations Convention and the basic human rights of children, protecting them from harm, and recognizing the important role of families in bringing up children.

The Canadian Institute of Child Health has worked tirelessly since 1977 to see that children and youth in Canada have the best opportunity possible to grow up healthy and happy within a safe environment. When you see children wearing bicycle helmets or traveling in car safety seats, or when fathers are welcome in delivery rooms, you are witnessing the influence that CICH has had upon the lives of all children.

Champions For Children Foundation is a local Ottawa charity established in 1989, which is responsible for providing post-secondary educational bursaries to deserving wards & former wards of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa . CFCF provides these young adults with an educational opportunity which they never could have otherwise achieved leaving a profoundly positive impact upon their lives and the lives of their future families.

    
                         12TH CRAYONS & CRAVATS GALA
                   TUESDAY NOVEMBER 17TH, 2009 - 18:30 HRS
                  CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL 101 LYON ST. OTTAWA ON
    

The Canadian Institute of Child Health and Champions For Children Foundation gratefully acknowledge GlaxoSmithKline as a Gold Sponsor and CTV - Ottawa as the Media Sponsor for the 12th Annual Crayons & Cravats Gala.

For further information: Janice Sonnen, Canadian Institute of Child Health, [phone] Ext. 223, [email protected]; Marta Nuijten, Champions For Children Foundation, [phone] Ext. 3, [email protected]