“Each one of us has at least one social cause that really pulls at our heart,” says Rob Aronson, 2008 Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Award winner and recent finalist of the Peter Cruddas Social Innovation Initiative.

Aronson is the founder and executive director of Spread the Love, an organization he started at age 15 to help combat the issues of hunger and homelessness. 

Aronson, now 22, recently spent five days in the United Kingdom with 10 other youth leaders from around the globe – the culmination of a six-month nomination process for the Peter Cruddas Social Innovation Initiative. Highlights of the trip included a weekend of workshops in Windsor and a celebration at Buckingham Palace, where the finalists were presented with certificates by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. “It was an extreme honour and privilege to be invited to Buckingham Palace. I was motivated and inspired by the other youth finalists from around the world. It was such an incredible experience,” said Aronson.

For Aronson, a full-time student majoring in Health and Society at the University of Calgary, this is just the beginning. “Spread the Love has recently expanded nationally and we’re recruiting for our leadership team over the next couple of months. Homelessness and hunger is not disappearing unfortunately. I’d like to see continued youth involvement and more youth acting as compassionate leaders in our community.”

It was his strong desire to “do the right thing” that made Aronson a perfect candidate for the Calgary Stampede Western Legacy Awards in 2008.

The awards started in 2005 to recognize the outstanding contribution members of our community make.

“It’s great to dig into the community and discover the amazing contributions people make on all levels,” he says.

The 2010 Western Legacy Awards nominations are open until Saturday, July 31. The awards recognize organizations or community members who have demonstrated western values in one of three categories: sustained contribution, innovation and youth. To nominate your hero click here.

Photo caption: 

(L to R) Back row - Ryan Hreljac, Rob Aronson, Alex Shipillo, Christian Owen; Middle Row - David Speirs, Judy Chesire, Alice Agyiri; Bottom Row - Jones Viduku, Esther Chinebuah, HRH Prince Edward, Ross McCreath, Judith Otabil.