Back to Search
Volunteers and good neighbours walked the red carpet in a celebration of good deeds and generosity as the City of St. Catharines marked National Volunteer Week with its annual Volunteer Recognition Awards.
Several awards were presented at a small in-person event on April 13, as the City once again hosted its annual Volunteer Recognition Awards. Recipients were greeted by Community, Recreation and Culture Services staff, City Councillors and Mayor Walter Sendzik.
Enzo DeDivitiis was named co-recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award for his extensive LGBTQ2+ activism. The Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year award is presented to an individual who represents volunteerism at its finest level.
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.
Christine Cook was also recognized as a co-recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with Start Me Up Niagara. Cook has been involved with the organization 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 participants.
The Margaret and Robin MacLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year Award was also presented. The annual award recognizes a youth who has displayed and demonstrated principles and actions that help to create a healthier and more connected community.
This year’s Youth Volunteer of the Year Award recipient is 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 2020, she organized her first food drive, passing out letters and hosting a donation day. Her efforts resulted in the collection of over 600 pounds of food. Encouraged, she did the same in 2021, setting up a receiving section at the end of her driveway. Emma spent hours in the cold greeting friends and neighbours that dropped off food, collecting almost 1,000 pounds of food.
“We have an exceptional group of volunteers and good neighbours to honour this year, and I want to congratulate and thank them all for their contributions to our community,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “With the opportunity to thank them each in person, I was proud to see that compassion, empathy and inclusivity are abundant in our city.”
Dozens of individuals received Volunteer and MyHoodSTC Awards from the City. A complete list of recipients can be found at stcatharines.ca/VolunteerAwards.
Subscribe