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The City of St. Catharines shone the spotlight on more than 50 volunteers who have helped donate their time and talents towards making a difference in the community.
During a celebration at Market Square on Tuesday night, the City celebrated its Volunteer Recognition Awards. Held during National Volunteer Week in Canada (April 17-23), the recipients were recognized as fulfilling this year’s theme of “Volunteering Weaves Us Together”, as their individual and collective actions help create a strong, interconnected and vibrant community.
“Every volunteer effort makes a difference in St. Catharines, and across Niagara,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “Like each individual thread makes weaving stronger, all of the recipients’ experiences, perspectives and abilities add to our community’s collective resilience. We have an exceptional group of volunteers who help reinforce our ability to grow, thrive and create change for the better.”
In addition to Community Impact Awards presented to 55 volunteers, two special awards were presented on Tuesday night, with Joe Vanyo recognized as the Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award, and Shyann Jenkins was honoured with the Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.
Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award
Joe Vanyo, of Scouts Canada – 57th 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. Vanyo has worked tirelessly with the leaders of 57th St. Catharines Group to ensure Scouting remains accessible and inclusive, including advocating for modified program to meet the needs of those with 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
Shyann 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.
A complete list of Community Impact Award recipients is as follows: 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, and Sarah Yurkiw.
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