Kaiser Foundation invites nominations for 2010 National Awards for Excellence Program

The Kaiser Foundation is pleased to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2010 National Awards for Excellence Program in mental health and addictions initiatives.

The National Awards for Excellence Program honours the outstanding work being done by the thousands of Canadian organizations, communities, individuals and media who are engaged in the fields of mental health and addictions. Each award recipient receives a $10,000 grant to be directed to a recognized charity of their choice.

The 2010 National Awards for Excellence event will take place on the evening of May 13, 2010 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Nominations are solicited widely from across Canada. Submissions are reviewed by the National Awards for Excellence Program Secretariat comprised of individuals working in the addictions and mental health field. Recommendations are forwarded to the National Awards Program Advisory Board for review and final selection of the Award recipients. Edgar Kaiser Jr., chairman of the Kaiser Foundation, enthused, "We are delighted with the quality of the past winners and are looking forward to receiving excellent nominations again this year."

There are seven award categories:

- Excellence in Aboriginal Programming

- Excellence in Community Programming

- Excellence in Leadership

- Excellence in Media Reporting

- Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Programming

- Excellence in Public Policy

- Excellence in Youth Leadership

The 2009 award winners were:

- Spirits of Burns Lake (BC) for Excellence in Aboriginal Programming

- Pine River Institute (ON) for Excellence in Community Programming

- Dr. Liz Whynot (BC), former president of BC Women's Hospital for Excellence in Leadership

- Andre Picard (QC) of the Globe and Mail for Excellence in Media Reporting

- COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) of Hamilton (ON) for Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use Programming

- Michel Perron (ON) of CCSA (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse) for Excellence in Public Policy

- Loryn Marcellus (AB) for Excellence in Youth Leadership

The National Awards for Excellence Program was launched in 2006 by The Kaiser Foundation in partnership with a growing roster of governments, foundations, corporate and private national partners across the country. This commitment to recognizing outstanding achievements in dealing with mental health, addictions and related issues demonstrates that national leadership recognizes the importance of dealing openly with these complex issues.

Complete details about the National Awards for Excellence Program and nomination forms may be obtained by contacting the Kaiser Foundation at 604-926-9767 / 1-866-926-9766 or by visiting the Foundation website: www.kaiserfoundation.ca.

About the Kaiser Foundation: Founded in 1985 by Edgar F. Kaiser Jr., OBC, LLD (Hon.) Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Foundation, Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Resources Ltd. The Kaiser Foundation is a registered charitable organization dedicated to helping individuals and communities live healthier and more productive lives by reducing the physical and mental harm associated with substance abuse. The Kaiser Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors representing a wide spectrum of society, with each Director bringing unique talents to the organization.

www.kff.org