Darren Cole

Darren Cole will celebrate the New Year by directing $5,000 to a registered charity after being named "Canada's Top Teen Philanthropist" in Mackenzie Investments' third annual national search. The 16-year-old Toronto resident won for his tireless efforts to help Food Banks Canada.

As Canada's Top Teen Philanthropist of 2011, Darren receives a $5,000 donation, made in his name, to Food Banks Canada. He also personally receives $1,000, which will go towards his savings for post-secondary education. The five runners-up will also be rewarded with a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.

"Once again, our contest has demonstrated that Canada's younger generation have big hearts," says Brad Offman, Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy, Mackenzie Investments. "The drive and determination of these philanthropic teens hopefully will ignite the giving spark in us all."  

From filling 10,000 backpacks with school supplies to sorting food at the local food bank, Darren has been helping those in need since he was six years old. In Grade 9, Darren took his efforts further by creating TOPS for Teens, raising money for his school, and two years ago, created the group Kids Against Canadian Hunger, which encourages local schools to raise money for Food Banks Canada and has raised more than $13,000 to date. This past October he organized a conference on the hunger problem in Canada to help raise awareness and funds for food banks.

Mackenzie also awarded five runners-up with $500 each for their charity of choice:

James Frobb

James Frobb, 19, Edmonton, AB: Inspired by the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life event, James worked to bring the popular fundraiser to his Alberta hometown. As chair of the inaugural run, he helped to raise $70,000 for the CCS and inspired his entire community to get involved.

 

Anna Fricker

Anna Fricker, 18, Groves Point, NS: Since visiting Tanzania as an ambassador for World Vision, Anna has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds about human rights and the plight of victims of disease and poverty in Africa. Anna hopes to continue her work and help expand the youth programs offered through World Vision so she can make a difference to those in need.

 

Gorick Ng

Gorick Ng, 18, Toronto, ON: Gorick knows first-hand what poverty feels like and as one of the city's 90,000 young people who relied on school lunch and breakfast programs, he wanted to be part of the solution. As student ambassador to the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, he helped initiate Feeding Toronto's Hungry Students Week. Along with raising awareness, Gorick helped raise more than $12,000 for the program.

 

Ashley Tiller

Ashley Tiller, 17, Sunderland, ON: Ashley knows how valuable an active mind can be and for the past four years she has volunteered with Precious Minds Resource and Learning Centre helping children with autism and developmental disabilities, putting in more than 1,000 hours of assistance and helping secure food donations.

 

Kimberley Fortin

Kimberley Fortin, 19, Pointe Claire, QC: For the past seven years, Kimberley has worked with Free the Children to help promote positive change in the world. Through Kimberley's strong leadership and her ability to empower youth to take action, her chapter has raised more than $94,000 for Free the Children.