Ontario Honours the Outstanding Contributions of Volunteers
2023 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards being presented across the province
BROCKVILLE – September 21, 2023
The Ontario government is recognizing over 3400 community volunteers through the 2023 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards. The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards recognizes adult and youth volunteers for their outstanding contributions and years of continuous service at organizations such as non-profits, schools, community centres, hospitals, libraries and community associations.
On the evening of Thursday, September 21st at the Aquatarium in Brockville, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark helped recognize 46 local volunteers with a combined 845 years of service to their community.
“Volunteers truly are the heart of our communities. So much of what makes Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes a great place to live wouldn’t happen without them,” said MPP Steve Clark. “We can never take for granted how selflessly they give of their time and talents. That’s why saying thank you through these Volunteer Service Award Ceremonies is so important.”
“Volunteers touch our lives in so many ways and help to make our province one of the greatest places to live,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “We are proud to recognize their efforts through the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards and are grateful that Ontarians continue to step up to support their communities.”
Volunteers nominated by an organization will receive a personalized certificate and lapel pin celebrating their years of service during one of the local award recognition ceremonies taking place between August to October 2023. The awards recognize adult volunteers for five to 65+ years of continuous service in five-year increments and youth volunteers for two or more years of continuous service.
Recipients for 2023 support a wide range of organizations and causes, including those serving vulnerable people, hospitals, senior centres and after-school, community and food security programs. These volunteers also participate as board members, help fundraise and strengthen the arts, culture, heritage and recreation sectors.
Locally in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, the following volunteers were honoured:
| RECIPIENT’S FIRST NAME | RECIPIENT’S LAST NAME | AWARD TYPE | ORGANIZATION |
| Hugh | Bates | 20 | Brockville General Volunteer Association |
| Mary | Bowlby | 10 | Friends of Foley Mountain |
| Thomas | Brown | 15 | Scouts Canada |
| Kevin | Casselman | 10 | King’s Kitchen |
| Ed | Cavanagh | 20 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| Don | Clarke | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Melinda | Cowan | 25 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| Tanya | Darling | 5 | Scouts Canada |
| Ann | Davy | 45 | Upper Canada Snowmobile Region |
| Bernie | Davy | 50 | Upper Canada Snowmobile Region |
| Barry | Davy | 20 | Lower Beverley Lake Park Management Board |
| Mavis | Elstone | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Mike | Fay | 15 | Friends of Foley Mountain |
| Pat | Flood | 15 | Ontario Genealogical Society – Leeds & Grenville Branch |
| Gerry | Flood | 15 | Ontario Genealogical Society – Leeds & Grenville Branch |
| Shirley | Frank | 10 | King’s Kitchen |
| Don | Goodfellow | 25 | Friends of Foley Mountain |
| Myrtle | Johnston | 50 | Ontario Genealogical Society – Leeds & Grenville Branch |
| Lorna | Johnston | 50 | Ontario Genealogical Society – Leeds & Grenville Branch |
| Ahmad | Khadra | 15 | Professional Engineers Ontario – Thousand Islands Chapter |
| Barbara | Law | 25 | Ontario Genealogical Society – Leeds & Grenville Branch |
| Gini | Leonard | 15 | Grenville County Historical Society |
| Barb | Maitland | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Doris | McGhie | 20 | Brockville General Volunteer Association |
| Fred | Olivio | 5 | Beverley Senior Citizens Club #460 |
| Sharon | Olivio | 5 | Beverley Senior Citizens Club #460 |
| Brenda | Perrin | 25 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| Tracy | Perrin | 25 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| Connie | Rathwell | 5 | Beverley Senior Citizens Club #460 |
| Brent | Rathwell | 5 | Beverley Senior Citizens Club #460 |
| Gary | Ronan | 5 | Lower Beverley Lake Park Management Board |
| Wendy | Ronan | 5 | Lower Beverley Lake Park Management Board |
| Valerie | Schulz | 30 | Grenville County Historical Society |
| Elizabeth | Smith | 20 | Brockville General Volunteer Association |
| Pete | Stothart | 15 | Friends of Foley Mountain |
| Rob | Struthers | 10 | Friends of Foley Mountain |
| Linda | Suddaby | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Barb | Therrien | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Doug | Therrien | 10 | Rural United Ministry |
| Leanna | Thomas | 5 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| James | Tickel | 20 | Brockville General Volunteer Association |
| Priscilla | Walter | 20 | Brockville General Volunteer Association |
| Effie | Warren | 5 | Delta Agricultural Society |
| Amber | Wells | 5 | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County |
| Charity | Whelan | 10 | Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council – Community 25 East |
| Andrew | Wise | 5 | King’s Kitchen |
For folks who participated in the Brockville awards ceremony – your photographs will be uploaded to MPP Steve Clark’s Facebook page in the coming days. Thanks to Amayeszing Photography for capturing the event.
For more information about the program or to submit a nomination for next year, please visit the Ontario Volunteer Service Award webpage. The deadline to nominate someone is November 15 each year. Nominations received after the deadline will be considered in the following year.
Quick Facts
- Since 1986, more than 250,000 volunteers have been recognized through the Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
- This year 313 youth and 3162 adults will be recognized for their volunteer service at 776 organizations.
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