OUT and ABOUT with Seeker Chick Mai-Liis: at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards – Recognizing Commitment and Dedication in Cornwall and area.

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards took place yesterday evening (Wednesday, May 15th) at the Ramada in Cornwall, Ontario.

This prestigious award honours individuals who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to their chosen cause. It is an occasion to celebrate the invaluable contributions of volunteers to organizations across the province and yesterday’s awards ceremony acknowledged 85 local individuals, representing 18 organizations and between these individuals there was an impressive combined total of 1,324 years of service.

The room full of honoured volunteers along with their families and supporters were welcomed by Louise Lauzon and Louis Bédard, Regional Development Advisors for Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Cornwall. There was a speech by Mario Gagnon which was followed by the Award Ceremony where recipients were acknowledged for their years of service with a personalized certificate and a distinguished lapel pin. This recognition serves as a testament to their selfless contributions and the impact they have made within their communities.

It was wonderful to see many members of our Youth receive an Award for volunteering. Youth nominees must be under 24 years old and have volunteered for a minimum of two consecutive years, while adult nominees must have dedicated at least five consecutive years to one organization. Among the adults there were individuals who had dedicated from 5 to over 65 years of service. Joan and Bryan McEwan are two individuals I met who have volunteered over 65 years of service each to Camp Kagama. (seen in photo above).

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards indeed stand as a tribute to the spirit of volunteerism, highlighting the profound difference individuals can make through their commitment and compassion and it was wonderful to see so many people celebrated at this event. Above you can see some of the many award recipients.

Any organization who has operated for at least 5 years can nominate up to nine volunteers, with a maximum of six nominees being adults. Nominees must be Ontario residents, actively engaged in volunteer work beyond mere membership, and must not have received payment for their services. Additionally, youth nominees must be under 24 years old and have volunteered for a minimum of two consecutive years, while adult nominees must have dedicated at least five consecutive years to one organization.

To nominate someone, organizations need to provide essential details such as their name, contact information, and the nominee’s particulars. Nominations can be submitted through the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal by creating an account or signing in for returning users.

The deadline for nominations is November 15th each year. Nominations received after this date will be considered for the following year. Recipients are chosen based on their outstanding service and dedication.

For more info on the Awards and how to nominate visit: Awards and Distinctions: Volunteering | ontario.ca