News Release:
November 1st, 2009

Waterloo, ON: This year, Students Offering Support (SOS) was recognized for its entrepreneurial success by being chosen as a finalist in the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Greg Overholt, founder and Executive Director of SOS, was named one of the four finalists for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Ontario division.

The E&Y Awards banquet, which took place on October 21st in Toronto, was a celebration of entrepreneurship, honouring 40 finalists in 12 categories. Although SOS did not win the award, the organization gained great exposure with the nomination and with over 300 guests in attendance viewing the SOS video vignette produced by E&Y. The videos as well as the winning speeches shared inspiring stories of entrepreneurship at its finest. SOS's vignette can be viewed below:

Greg Overholt had the following to say on the nomination for Entrepreneur of the Year, "It was a great honour to see SOS recognized alongside such impressive for-profit companies. Student volunteers across Canada put their hearts and souls into their work at SOS. To simply be recognized as a finalist is a huge win for SOS and for the communities we support."

This year's E&Y Awards celebrate the importance and impact of entrepreneurship during the current global economic recession. Despite the economic downturn, many entrepreneurial projects have experienced growth and success. SOS has a growing community of volunteers, student participants, supporters and partners, allowing SOS to help students at home and abroad.

"To grow from a local student club to a recognized national social enterprise in only a few years is a great accomplishment," says Steve Farlow, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University. "The student leaders of SOS should be commended on their dedication and effort in transforming SOS into one of the most progressive non-profit enterprises our country has to offer."

SOS is proud to be part of the innovative and thriving entrepreneurial community in Ontario and Canada as a whole. SOS congratulates all the winners and finalists of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for their tremendous accomplishments.


About Students Offering Support: SOS: Students Offering Support is a national charitable organization that raises money to raise roofs through raising marks during our 'Exam-AID' review sessions. The money raised is spent creating sustainable education projects in developing nations. SOS is a network of over 500 student volunteers across Canada who have taught 4000 students and raised $240,000 for development projects over the last 5 years.

Since 2005, SOS has attracted the attention of various local and national publications. As we continue to grow, we are always looking for champions in the media to help spread the who, the how, and most importantly, the why. Child poverty is a global epidemic which needs all the attention and focused efforts we can provide. The organziation is over 200 student leaders strong and still growing, but we are always looking to find others who are interested in getting involved. Find out how you can help spread the word.

If you are looking for a speaker for an upcoming conference or event, SOS’s Executive Director, Greg Overholt, has spoken at numerous conference and banquets. If you are interested in having Greg speak at your event, click here for more information.

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