The Volunteer Recognition Awards celebrate volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service have made a significant impact on the City of St. Catharines. Review each of the award categories and learn how to submit a nomination.
Nominations
Nominations for the 38th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards are open from Monday, February 9 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 9.
Awards
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 |
The Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who represents volunteerism at its finest. The recipient will:
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Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award |
| This award is given to an exemplary volunteer, aged 24 and under, who has helped create a better community.
This individual will:
For more information about the Margaret and Robin MacLennan Community Fund and previous winners since 2003, please visit robinandmargaret.ca. |
Mayor’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award |
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This Mayor's Lifetime Volunteer Service Award honors an individual who has dedicated 20 or more years to volunteerism, making a lasting impact on their community through selfless service. Their unwavering commitment, leadership, and passion have enriched the lives of others, strengthened local organizations, and inspired those around them. This recognition celebrates their extraordinary contributions, recognizing them as a pillar of generosity and compassion in the community. |
Equity and Inclusion Champion award |
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This award honours an individual who demonstrates a deep commitment to making St. Catharines a more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community. They amplify underrepresented voices, celebrate diversity, and help create accessible and inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. |
Spirit of Sport Award |
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This award recognizes a volunteer whose dedication, mentorship, and passion uplift local sports in St. Catharines. It's intended to celebrate those who encourage participation, nurture talent, and strengthen community pride through sport. The Spirit of Sport Award will be presented by SCORE. |
Eligibility Criteria
- All submissions must use the official Volunteer Recognition Awards Application Form and include full contact information for both nominator and nominee.
- A nominee’s volunteer work must take place in St. Catharines.
- Nominations must include a detailed explanation of the achievement/contribution, impact, and level of commitment.
- Nominations may include letters of support, media clippings and other supporting documentation.
- Individuals cannot nominate themselves.
- Nominees may qualify for more than one category provided they meet the specific criteria.
- Nominators may submit a maximum of three nominees per organization annually.
- Individuals who received a Community Impact Award last year are not eligible to be nominated by the same organization this year.
How to submit a nomination
Review Award Descriptions and Eligibility Criteria |
| Begin preparing your nomination by reviewing award descriptions and eligibility criteria to ensure the individual meets all requirements. Collect any letters of support, media clippings, images and other supporting documents to submit.
A couple of key points to remember:
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Choose the Appropriate Award Category |
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Choose the award category that best reflects your nominee’s contributions:
Be sure the nominee’s contributions align with the intent of the selected category. Nominees may qualify for more than one category provided they meet the specific criteria. |
Write your Nomination |
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Each nomination must include a detailed explanation of the achievement/contribution, impact, and level of commitment. A strong nomination should:
While note required, additional documents, including letters of support and media clippings, may be attached to the nomination. |
Complete and Submit the Nomination Form |
| Complete the online nomination form and upload the any additional documents.
All nominations must be submitted by March 9 at 11:59 p.m. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. |
What Happens Next? |
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Nominations will be reviewed based on the established eligibility and selection criteria. Selected nominees will be invited to attend Volunteer Recognition Night on April 21, where Community Impact certificates and gifts will be presented. Award recipients will be announced during the celebration. |
2025 winners
It is our volunteers who help make our community the vibrant and compassionate space that it is today. Join us in celebrating our award winners who have given so much.
Mayor’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award |
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The 2025 Mayor's Lifetime Volunteer Service Award was presented to Brenda Zadoroznij. Zadoroznij has volunteered twice a week for the past 36 years at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre where she assists with inventory, artifact organization, object searches, and labelling and entering information into databases and spreadsheets in the museum’s collection section. |
Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award winner |
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The 2025 Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Abbas Faramarz for his work at Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services. Faramarz supports Bridges’ staff as a dedicated volunteer interpreter for Farsi-speaking clients, helps seniors gain essential technology skills in the Digital Skills for Seniors Program, and provides guidance and mentorship to youth as they navigate their personal and academic challenges as part of the Youth Services program. |
Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award winners |
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Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to two recipients in 2025 – Brianna Troy for her work with Positive Living Niagara, and Quinn Harley for his work with Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. Troy has dedicated more than 200 volunteer hours to Positive Living Niagara while completing her Honours Critical Criminology degree. She has led key events, including a French Language Service Provider Breakfast for 45 people and the World AIDS Day Vigil with 88 attendees. When COVID struck and Harley heard about people losing their jobs and not having enough to eat, he asked his loved ones to donate to people in need rather than give him gifts – and Fill the Bin for Quinn was born. Harley has been an ambassador with Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold since he was six. Harley's program continues to provide families in need with non-perishables, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, meal kits, emergency supplies, hygiene and toiletry products and baby items, such as diapers, food and formula. |
Community Impact Award winners |
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The 2025 Community Impact Award winners are:
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