Royal LePage announces contest winner

Michelle Knoll of Oakville is the winner of the My Great Neighbourhood online contest – a national campaign by Royal Lepage that asked Canadians why they love their neighbourhood.

Knoll submitted her video showcasing her community and the not-for-profit Oak Park Moms and Tots Centre. In addition to the $25,000 prize, Royal LePage will donate $5,000 to a women’s shelter nearby the Oak Park Moms and Tots centre. Royal LePage selects the winners of the contest based on how creative, original, informative, and compelling the entry is, in addition to the total number of votes.

Knoll, a Director at the Oak Park Moms and Tots Centre, noted that the prize money would be used to keep programs running in the centre. With the current economic pressures, the demand on the centre has grown at the same time that fundraising has become more challenging. The centre was facing a shortfall of $26,000 needed in additional funding to keep the doors open until fall 2010.

Last year the centre provided programs, resources and community engagement for 700 children and benefited more than 500 families.

In the photo, Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage, presents the My Great Neighbourhood $25,000 grand prize to Michelle Knoll, director at the Oak Park Moms and Tots Centre.