Canadian Living 2008 Me to We Award winners and honourable mentions

This story was originally titled "Me to We Award Winners" in the October 2008 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

This is the fourth annual Canadian Living Magazine Me to We Awards. The me-to-we spark continues to spread across the country and improve the lives of Canadians and global citizens. Our judges pored over hundreds of inspiring nominations – children raising big money for a cause, professionals lending a hand and seemingly ordinary Canadians creating a better world for others.

With the support of Craig and Marc Kielburger, cofounders of Free the Children, we bring you this year’s award winners, as well as honourable mentions, in each of the five award categories. We're sure you'll be amazed by their determination to make a difference. Each recipient receives $5,000 to give to a charitable cause of his or her choice. Reading their stories reminds us that we all have the ability to change our world.

Alaina Podmorrow
Youth (12 and under)
Building a bridge to peace
Lake Country, B.C.

When Alaina Podmorrow heard about the hardships facing girls in Afghanistan, she wanted to make a difference. "I felt really moved about what's happening and how they don't have rights like education," says Alaina, 11. She attended a speech by journalist Sally Armstrong as part of a fund-raiser for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan), an organization that raises funds for teachers' salaries in Afghanistan, and was inspired to host a silent auction in Lake Country, B.C., where she lives.

What started as a one-time-only event inspired Alaina to form Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan (LW4LW). Today there are 10 chapters of LW4LW across Canada and each one holds its own fund-raising events. Collectively they have raised enough money to pay the salaries of 40 teachers. "You can do anything you put your heart to," says the Grade 6 student. "Don't let someone tell you can't because you're too young."

Alaina continues to make a difference by speaking to schools, youth groups and community clubs. Her motto is simple: Let's build a bridge to peace; education equals peace.

• Alaina's Me to We Award money will be donated to Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan.

Click here to see Alaina in Canadian Living magazine!

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