Simcoe-Grey is celebrating the dedication of 56 local residents who have been recognized with the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for 2025.
The honour acknowledges individuals who have provided exceptional, long-term service to a single organization, strengthening communities and enriching lives. Recipients were celebrated at local ceremonies, where they received personalized certificates and lapel pins in recognition of their contributions.
“Looking after our neighbours and community has never been more important,” says Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “I am grateful to see so many volunteers selflessly stepping up and embodying the best of Ontario’s spirit. On behalf of the residents of Simcoe-Grey, thank you to this year’s award recipients for helping make our communities strong, vibrant, and welcoming.”
The 2025 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards recipients from Simcoe-Grey include:
YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD
- Immanuel Deo Sewah, Town of New Tecumseth
- Victoria Kolba, ZHR Polish Scouts of Canada
- Nicholas Morrow, Town of New Tecumseth
5 YEARS OF SERCICE AWARD
- Jay Anstey, Rotary Club – Wasaga Beach
- Carla Beckett, Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute
- Joan Bercovitch, Prime Time Club
- Judy Burrell, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- Nancy Chapple Smokler, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Pamela Close, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Cheryl Drynan, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- Pat James, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Karlene Langman, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children
- Christine Looker, Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park
- Bronwyn MacLean, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Annette MacMaster, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- Rob Maguire, Prime Time Club
- Teresa Main, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Cathy Marengeur, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children
- Fran McDonell, Catholic Women’s League – St. Paul the Apostle Church
- Millie Quigley, Alliston & District Humane Society
- Diana Rudolph, Prime Time Club
- Anne Sledz, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Kim Smith, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children
10 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Jackie Akeson, National Association of Federal Retirees – Huronia Branch
- Beverley Beesley, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Myra Carvalho, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Kellie Casey, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- Maggie Curran, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Simon Czarnecki, ZHR Polish Scouts of Canada
- Ralph D’Alonzo, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Bryan Davies, Rotary Club – Wasaga Beach
- Kevin deGroot, Rotary Club – Wasaga Beach
- Jacqui Eger – YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Patricia Gagnon, Prime Time Club
- Patti Grossman, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Carmen Isopescu, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Alan Lo, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka – Collingwood
- Michael Lubiana, County of Simcoe – Simcoe Manor Long Term Care
- Linda Patenaude, Alliston & District Humane Society
- Maureen Powling, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Lisa Rowland, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
- Anne Sharpe, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Mari Thompson, Prime Time Club
- Melissa Weiss, Rotary Club – Wasaga Beach
- Doris Willis, Prime Time Club
15 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Sheila Churchill, Brightshores Health System – Meaford
- Mary Lafazanos, Catholic Women’s League – St. Paul the Apostle Church
20 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Peter Brown, Beaver Valley Outreach
- Floy Catt, Friends of the Utopia Mill and Park
- Pat Skelly, Alliston & District Humane Society
- Edith Steinmayr, Alliston & District Humane Society
25 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Marie Heffernan, Catholic Women’s League – St. Paul the Apostle Church
30 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Patricia Marshall, CONTACT Community Services
35 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Sandra Luksys, Alliston & District Humane Society
45 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Sylvia Plant, Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute
55 YEARS OF SERVICE
- Suzanne Hayes, Catholic Women’s League – St. Paul the Apostle Church
“Volunteers are the heart of Ontario, and we’re truly grateful for everything they do to support and uplift those around them,” adds Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
Since 1986, more than 250,000 volunteers have been recognized through the Ontario Volunteer Service Award. Nominations for future recipients can be made here.
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
- Rick.Sargent@LocalRadio.ca (Bolton)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
