Giving Matters Foundation presents youth service awards

Chennai Volunteers, a social initiative of the Giving Matters Foundation, recognised 17 colleges from the city at the Catalysts of Change 2026 Youth Service Awards, held at the Sacred Heart Tamil medium school on Friday.

“Whenever we open volunteer registrations during the Chennai floods, about 3000 college students participate for the distribution of food, pillows, and other essentials,” said chief guest, Chennai Mayor R. Priya, adding the volunteers could support the students of the Corporation-run schools based on their individual needs.

Gowtham R., a second year Physics student from Loyola college received the Volunteer of the year award. There were nine different team award categories and five individual award categories, additionally.

Edgar Pang, Consul General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai, said, when the young people channel their energy into service, it creates change that is both immediate and lasting. “In this very fast moving world of social media and mobile phones, many focus on personal successes. But, community work reminds us that true success lies in how many lives we touch, how many hands we hold, and how much hope we can create,” he said.