At the Colwood city council meeting on Monday, July 23 two local youths were recognized by Mayor Carol Hamilton through the Colwood Pay it Forward program for their contributions to their community.

Erika Lahnsteiner, 12, and Lindsay Hargreaves, 14, received certificates for their work in organizing a community cleanup in their Latoria Walk neighbourhood on May 27.

The two girls recruited about 40 residents to help clean up streets, paths and parklands around their neighbourhood.

The Pay it Forward program was established in 2009 to recognize good deeds by residents. Since then, about a dozen residents have been recognized for everything from fundraising efforts to picking up garbage. The program is funded by donations.

"The program is designed to acknowledge and encourage acts of kindness, generosity, selflessness or outstanding support and contribution to the community," said Hamilton. "A community is a group of people who come together where they live and work to try and improve the standards of living and quality of life. This is an example of that."