Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 25/05) - Helping Hands is the title of John Stephenson's prize-winning photograph and reflects his helping nature.

Stephenson won first place in the recent Volunteer NWT photo contest for his image of hands at work painting Easter eggs

Bill Graham, chair of Volunteer NWT, shakes hands with John Stephenson, first place winner in the recent Volunteer NWT photo contest. His entry was entitled Helping Hands.

It won him a trip for two from Canadian North, which he promptly donated to the Yellowknife Ski Club, where he and his wife Karen often volunteer.

"I decided to give my prize to the ski club because it is the focus of our interest. I thought they could use the tickets to perhaps bring up an Olympic skier or someone for a visit," Stephenson said.

Bill Graham, chair of Volunteer NWT, said he was pleased that contestants from around the NWT entered the contest. "We wanted to raise awareness of activities that involve an awareness of volunteering," Graham said.

Aggie Brockman, coordinator of Volunteer NWT, was pleased with the volume of entries.

Stephenson's winning photo was top notch, she said. "John's photo told the story of helping out with helping hands. It applies to any kind of helping out or volunteering."

Second prize of a $500 gift certificate from Yellowknife Foto Source for a photo of volunteering in Sri Lanka went to Cliff Sutherland of Yellowknife.

Kelsey Pitt of Vixen Hair Den won third prize of a $250 gift from Arctic Data Systems for a photo of hair shaving at Raven Mad Daze.