Volunteer Awards

Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award

The Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who represents volunteerism at its finest. The recipient will:

• Display leadership
• Embody compassion, optimism and momentum
• Create a future of opportunity for everyone

Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award

This award is given to a young individual, aged 24 and under, who has helped create a more connected community. This individual will:

• Promote acts of kindness
• Be involved in community service
• Balance volunteerism and personal commitments with class, grace and tenacity

Community Impact Award

The Community Impact Award is given to individuals who have shown selfless dedication to an organization and/or has made a significant difference in the community.

Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award winner

The 2023 Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Joe Vanyo.

Vanyo, of Scouts Canada – 57^th St. Catharines Group, has been active in Scouting for 51 years, helping coordinate programs for thousands of Scouts through his roles serving as a Scout leader in all sections of the organization, as well as an area trainer and volunteer on the District Council for more than 20 years. He has taken pride in helping mentor youth who come back as volunteer leaders themselves later in life because of their experiences with Scouting. He has worked tirelessly with the leaders of 57^th St. Catharines Group to ensure Scouting remains accessible and inclusive, including advocating for modified program to meet the needs of those with intellectual disabilities, ensuring individuals like his own son Ryan were able to have the same experiences as other children.

Vanyo's commitment to the community doesn’t end there. He has also been a volunteer with St. Catharines Special Olympics for about 35 years. He has coached hockey and bowling in addition to supporting other initiatives.

Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award winner

Shyann Jenkins was recognized with the 2023 Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jenkins is the leader of the Strong Water Juniors, where she strives to instill pride and comfort to the young participants of the collective. A Jingle Dress dancer, Shyann travels all over Ontario sharing her teachings and providing healing to her People and provides cultural presentations focusing on the empowerment of youth, the revitalization of Indigenous language and culture, and embracing womanhood.

Jenkins, who is currently looking forward to completing her final year of nursing school – a goal put on hold during the pandemic, has also worked with the Niagara Regional Native Centre and been active in advocacy and activism in the area of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls (MMIWG), including participation in events such as the MMIWG walk, Red Dress Day events and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Community Impact Award winners

The 2023 Community Impact Award winners are: Hank Beekhuis, Natasha Bell, Maisy Birmingham, Mazie Bones, Steve Bowen, Cheryl Bowman, Tim Breadman, Mike Butt, Dale Campbell, Nicole Chubaty, Brier Colburn, Janice Coles, Jackie Conway, Suzanne Court, Elise Daquioag, Thomas Davies, Laryssa Doig, Dianna Fulton, Steve Fulton, Brandon Hall, Jeff Hassim, Henrietta Hunse, Roy Hutchings, Shyann Jenkins, Alexis Kleiman, Alyson Kudreikis, Kerry Leask, Trish Loat, Luz Makimkim, Emma Massis, Violeta Avila McArthur, Patricia McDermott, Rob McIntosh, Margaret Murphy, John Netherway, Trish O'Neill, Lindsay Nichols, Wendy Pak, Cole Patrick, Eve Patrick, Connie Pringle, Zach Raczywolski, Tom Richardson, Mark Rorke, Teresa Rudling, Tim Sabourin, Mark Steinman, Emma Teutenburg, Joanne Trousdale, Alice Udell, Stephanie Vail, Joseph Vanyo, Stephen Vukovics, Jenna Wilkinson, Colleen Whyte, Sarah Yurkiw.