It Starts with Kids Business Awards
In
October 2002, five outstanding London businesses were recognized
for their family-friendly practices through the It Starts with
Kids Business Awards. As the detailed descriptions below will
outline, not only are there many individuals and businesses committed
to improving the lives of children, but there are just as many
different and unique ways to make a difference.
And
the winners are…
The
Toy Shoppe of London is an incredibly kid-friendly experience
from baby change tables and family rest rooms to separate play
areas for toddlers, budding train engineers and games freaks.
Child-pleasing weekly events include visiting readers, "make and
take" crafts and celebrity guests such as Clifford the Big Red
Dog and Franklin the Turtle. The annual summer tent event has
become a destination location where kids can try out all manner
of toys and games. The owners, Clyde and Rose Walton, have also
been great community supporters since their first store opened.
Be it a local school fun fair or a high profile fundraiser, the
Waltons can be counted upon to lend their support.
Free
indoor parking, expectant mother and caregiver parking spaces,
stroller and wheelchair use and the Let's Play child care centre
are examples of the many supports and services making the Westmount
Shopping Centre a hub in the community. Space is frequently provided
for community organizations such as the Middlesex London Health
Unit and Investing in Children to provide programs for the public.
The Ontario Early Years Centre, London West is housed at Westmount.
The types of services that the OEYC offer fit Westmount Shopping
Centre's philosophy and they have done everything they can to
work with the centre and make the staff and parents feel welcome.
The
GoodLife Fitness Club created the GoodLife Kids Foundation in
2000, to promote and educate children ages 5-12 in Ontario about
the benefits of living a healthy, active lifestyle. The foundation's
projects include a commissioned report on the fitness status of
Canadian children, a healthy lifestyle conference for over 800
Grade 5 students, and Kids Demo teams promoting fitness at charitable
events. The GoodLife Kids Foundation has also produced "Go Kids!,"
a video that takes children through a proper workout and offers
tips on nutrition and self-esteem. They are currently working
with LEADS on a second video project to be produced by at-risk
youth. GoodLife Fitness Clubs also offer family swim programs,
fitness classes for children and child-minding areas, allowing
parents peace-of-mind while exercising.
Nokee
Kwe is an Aboriginal term meaning "working women." This not for
profit organization is based on the principle that strong and
healthy families are the key to strong and healthy communities.
They promote respect, empowerment, encourage choice and recognize
that a parent's relationship to their family is as important (if
not more important) than their vocational obligations. Nokee Kwe
supports parents and children in a variety of ways: "Bring Your
Child To Work Day", flexible schedules, unpaid time off to accommodate
child care issues, paid personal days and a benefits program to
support their employee's families.
Perry
Jeffrey, the owner of Oscar Taylor's, has not only been a long-standing
member of the It Starts With Kids Committee, but he has gone out
of his way to support numerous child and family focused events
and activities in the city. Perry has been an unflagging supporter
of numerous community events that focus on the support and enrichment
of London's families and children. He truly is a businessman who
goes out of his way to demonstrate "that as a community, we are
all responsible for working together to make London the best place
to live and raise a family."
