Volunteer Awards
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
Mayor's Volunteer of the Year Award
- 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 individual will:
- Have volunteered for at least one year or 100 hours with one or more organizations
- Demonstrate a sincere commitment to community service
- Be both a reliable and enthusiastic volunteer
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
The 2025 Community Impact Award winners are:
Zahra Ahmadi, Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services
Alexander Azzam, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara
Robert Barber, Niagara Region Métis Council
Isabella Berardi, Pathstone Mental Health Youth Advisory Committee
Madeline Berardi, Pathstone Mental Health
Linda Beyer, Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services
Fred Bowering, Safe Streets
Karl Bowley, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Dennis C. Bustos, Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara
Henry P. Bustos, Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara
Mark Chapman, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Kim Colangeli, Precious Angels Niagara
Amanda Cote, Slo Pitch Niagara
Phoenix Christensen, Pathstone Mental Health Youth Advisory Committee
Elvie Damiano, Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara
Enzo De Devitiis, Pride Niagara
Katherine Dodge, Positive Living Niagara
Abbas Faramarz, Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services
Lori Gava, Hospice Niagara
Kelly George, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 350
Kermesha Granger, Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region
Glenn Hallett, Humane Society of Greater Niagara
Quinn Harley, Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold
Jeff Hasim, Kiwanis Hockey
Christine Holt, St. Catharines Ladies Softball League
Avah Horton, New Hope Church
Alicia Howe, GCMHA Falcons
Liz Ianizzi, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Yildiz Ighani, Pathstone Mental Health Youth Advisory Committee
Harmonie King, Pathstone Mental Health Youth Advisory Committee
Molly Lacey, Suitcase in Point
Mike Lavallee, Education Foundation of Niagara
Alexander Leone, Brock University, Niagara Health (St. Catharines site), Canadian Blood Services and Let's Talk Science
Kim Luciani, St. Vincent De Paul Society Store, and Ozanam Soup Kitchen at Knights of Columbus building
Carl MacCulloch, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Crisanto Manalo, Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara
Sofia Marchenko, Ukrainian First Baptist Church
Christine Marks, CFUW St. Catharines
William (Bill) McAvoy, Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold
Phil McDonald, Humane Society of Greater Niagara
Francie McGlynn, St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Jamie Mereweather, Humane Society of Greater Niagara
Bruce Merritt, Morningstar Mill - City of St. Catharines
John Mirynech, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Rene O'Brien, Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region
Alexa Paquette, Pathstone Mental Health
Connor Pinkernelle, Pathstone Mental Health
Jim Richardson, City's Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee
Erin Sharpe, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Phyllis Shortt, Bridges Niagara Immigrant and Refugee Services
Calla Smith, Pathstone Mental Health
Sophie Spelier, Pathstone Mental Health
Brianna Troy, Positive Living Niagara
Susie Turner, Wellspring Niagara and Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children
Angela Wheaton, Autism Ontario
Wendy Wiebe, St. Catharines Rowing Club
Amy Wilson, Wellspring Niagara and Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children
Phoenix Young Lazo, St. Catharines Boxing Club
Brenda Zadoroznij, St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre