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 2022 Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Enzo DeDivitiis and Christine Cook. 

DeDivitiis co-founded Pride Niagara 2010 and is currently serving as chairperson of the organization that celebrates Niagara Region's LGBTQ2+ community and its supporters. DeDivitiis 's commitment to building and supporting the community has had a lasting impact on residents from all walks of life.

In addition to his work with Pride Niagara, DeDivitiis also serves on the City’s LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee, encouraging a more welcoming and diverse St. Catharines through his perspectives and insights.

Cook has been involved with Start Me Up Niagara since its inception, volunteering in a variety of roles. When interacting with those served by the organization she ensures they are welcomed and appreciated, while going above and beyond to provide them with resources and meals. Having created a family-like atmosphere, her warm demeanour is a constant in the lives of many served by the organization.

Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award winner

The 2022 Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Emma Sajur, a community leader at just 10 years of age. Sajur has organized multiple food drives and facilitated ways for her peers to stay close while social distancing during the pandemic.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Emma began writing letters and leaving them in mailboxes for children in her neighbourhood, offering a fun and safe way to keep in touch. In 2021, she organized her first food drive, passing out letters and hosting a donation day. Her efforts raised over 600 pounds of food. Encouraged, she did the same in 2022, setting up a receiving section at the end of her driveway. Emma spent hours in the cold greeting friends and neighbors that dropped off food, raising almost 1,000 pounds of food.

Volunteer Award winners

The 2022 Volunteer award winners are: Ian Ashman; Ken Beaudette; Natasha Bell; Shawn Bennett; Lauryn Bessey; Graham Bettes; Don Bowers; Jennifer Butts; Natasha Campbell; Alexandra Cecchin; Christine Cook; Nikki Chubatay; Catherine Davies; Enzo DeDivitiis; Christiana Fixon-Owoo; Michael Flynn; MaryAnne Giallonardo; Susan Gibson; Dave Hart; Annalise Hartwig; Vinh Ho; Mary Homorodean; Seth Laroche; Jessica Lemon; Christine Lewis; Joe Luszczyk; Jaime Martin; Pat McDermott; Catharine Milner; Sean Morris; Gail Neff; Trish O'Neil; Monica Oppenlaender; Wendy Pak; Elaine Penner; Pearl Peritalo; Colin Pipher; Raymond Ravazzolo; Lyle Renauld; Emma Sajur; Marlene Sanders; Joanne Schiebel; Rick Sheppard; Mike and Sandy Slater; Joseph Starrs; Jim Storin; James Symons; Lawson Thomson; Hans Tiel; Lijda Tiel; Wendy Walker. 

MyHood Recognition Awards winner

The 2022 MyHood Recognition Awards winners are: Natasha Bell; Enzo DeDivitiis; Michael Flynn; Christine Lewis; Emma Sajur; Joanne Schiebel; Mike and Sandy Slater; Jim Storin; James Symons.