The City of St. Catharines is again calling on community members to nominate people in the city who selflessly volunteer their time and talents to the betterment of the community.
Nominations are now open for the City of St. Catharines 37th annual Volunteer Recognition Awards. Individuals and organizations are invited to nominate deserving volunteers who make a difference through their community contributions.
In keeping with the theme of 2025 National Volunteer Week, organized by Volunteer Canada, this year’s Awards’ theme is “Volunteers Make Waves”; “Like a wave, volunteering is movement building.”
“Every contribution, whether big or small of our selfless, hard-working volunteers is like a ripple, which when joined with others, creates a momentum-building wave of positive change in our community,” said Andrea Connelly-Miele, the City’s Community and Events Coordinator. “These actions or ripples create a wave of community benefits, like improved well-being, caring, compassionate community building, and enhanced resilience in the face of change and uncertainty.”
Nominations will be accepted in these categories: Community Impact Award, the Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Margaret and Robin McLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, given to an individual aged 24 or younger, and the new Mayor’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award.
Individuals who have shown dedication to an organization and/or who have made a significant difference in the community can be nominated for a Community Impact Award.
Nominees for the Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award should demonstrate leadership, and embody compassion, optimism, and momentum. Candidates for the Margaret and Robin McLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award should promote acts of kindness, be involved in community service, and balance volunteerism and personal commitments with class, grace, and tenacity.
The new Mayor’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award honours an individual who has dedicated 20 or more years to volunteerism, making a lasting impact on their community through selfless service.
The City is planning a celebration on April 22 to recognize award recipients. Nominees will receive the details directly.
For more details on the Volunteer Recognition Awards, or to submit a nomination, visit stcatharines.ca/VolunteerAwards.
Nominations close on March 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.