Every day countless random acts of kindness and heroics go unrecognized and unrewarded throughout our community. Today (Saturday), Elmira resident Aaron Spurgeon and several other Waterloo Region children were acknowledged for those acts in a very big way. Spurgeon was named one of the recipients of the annual Waterloo Region Children’s Safety Village Children’s Hero Award. More than 17 children were nominated for the award this year, with the top seven submissions chosen for the award.

“We are pleased to once again acknowledge the heroic efforts of the children in our community,” said Lee Fitzpatrick, chair of the Waterloo Region Children’s Safety Village. “The efforts of these children demonstrate the importance of the skills learned through educational programs offered at the Children’s Safety Village.”

Spurgeon was nominated for the award due to his selfless nature and for thinking of others. For his ninth birthday back on Mar. 26, he decided to ask for donations to Kate’s Kause instead of presents. In the end the party raised more than $400 which he donated to the local charity, named after Kate Meissner who suffers from Angelman Syndrome and whose parents are trying to raise $150,000 to build an all-access playground for her and other children with special needs.

AS is a neurogenetic disorder that affects one in 15,000 people. “Angels” as they are sometimes called, can have little or no verbal skills, poor gross and fine motor skills, and possible seizure and sleep disorders.

The event will be held at the Waterloo Region Children’s Safety Village located at Waterloo Regional Police headquarters, where winners will receive a trophy and a certificate presented by local sponsors and by the chiefs of the local police and fire services. To be nominated for the award, children must reside in Waterloo Region and are in junior kindergarten through to Grade 8.