The spirit of compassion and community so reflective of the holiday season are illustrated in this year’s selection in the seventh annual Niagara Health System Holiday Card Contest for Kids. The competition had a total of 59 inspirational and creative entries this year.
Loren Smith has been selected as the artist of the 2013 NHS holiday greeting card. Loren is the seven-year-old daughter of Bill Smith, an Environmental Services Aide at the Greater Niagara General Site. “Loren is over the top excited!" says her dad, Bill. In addition to having a knack for drawing, Loren is an avid dancer and soccer player. The family resides in Niagara Falls, where Loren is a Grade Two student at Cardinal Newman Catholic Elementary School.
In November, all children and grandchildren aged 12 or under of NHS staff, physicians and volunteers were invited to participate in an artwork contest giving them the chance of being selected as the acclaimed artist of the card. Judges Interim President and CEO Sue Matthews and Interim Chief of Staff Dr. Joanna Hope had the challenging task of picking winners from the wide variety of unique and talented entries.
“Dr. Hope and I both look forward each year to the contest and are always impressed with the beauty and uniqueness of the cards. This year was no exception. We selected Loren’s card because of the subject matter and values depicted in her artwork.”
As the winning entry, Loren’s artwork will be used in the NHS electronic holiday greeting which will be distributed to community members and partner organizations throughout the region and province.
Winners in each of the three age categories were also selected, in addition to the new category ‘Your Favourite.’ Staff, physicians and volunteers were invited to vote for their favourite entry this year. The winners are:
Ages 3-5 – Aydan Rose McCulloch, 4 years old, granddaughter of Lynn McIntyre-Enns, Human Resources Coordinator, St. Catharines Site
Ages 6-8 – Mary Mulligan, 8 years old, daughter of Julie Mulligan, Medical Radiation Technologist, Welland Site
Ages 9-12 – Alyssa Brew, 12 years old, daughter of Rosa Brew, Addictions Counselor, Mental Health and Addictions, New Port Centre
Your Favourite – Madison Morgan, 10 years old, daughter of Lydia Morgan, Ultrasound Technologist, St. Catharines Site
Media contact: Rebecca Slavik, Communications Specialist, 905-378-4647, ext. 43879, Rebecca.slavik@niagarahealth.on.ca.
