Hands-on junior citizen lauded

Dennis Hanagan–

A Regent Park teenager has received a junior citizens award for his volunteer work in the community.

In March, Bulletin Publisher Paulette Touby presented Timothy Calupig of Sackville St. with his 2014 Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year award following recommendations from community members who praised his volunteer work.

“I’d rather not sit down … and just play video games. I’m more of a hands-on kind of person who would rather get his hands dirty and do something about the world around him,” Calupig said in an interview.

The award from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association is sponsored by TD Canada Trust and the Insurance Bureau of Canada

Calupig, a Grade 12 student, is an army cadet with the 48th Highlanders at Moss Park Armouries and a leader with his school’s yearbook and eco team. Calupig gives his time to Pathways to Education, Toronto Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club and Charlie’s Freewheels on Queen E. in Moss Park.

With Charlies Freewheels, Calupig, a cyclist himself, spreads the word that bike safety is important. “That way we can get kids engaged into actual biking and that way the future generation actually gets into a (less polluting) way of transit.”

Not long ago Calupig received the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for community service. “That’s another add-on to things I’ve accomplished,” Calupig said.

Calupig wants to further his education in environmental studies. “I’m hoping to become an environmental engineer, going out in the field studying the water, testing it and hopefully I can make a bigger difference. I guess I do have a strong interest and inclination to the environment.”

Asked if he had any advice for other young people, Calupig said “just get out there and do something. It’s always good to do something for someone else.”