Volunteer Recognition Awards

Every year, we recognize the outstanding volunteers who make a difference in Niagara Falls. The Volunteer Recognition Awards honour individuals, businesses, and organizations that give their time and energy to improve our community.


 

How to make a nomination

Community organizations can recognize one Individual Volunteer and one Corporate Sponsor each year. Additionally, anyone can nominate individuals or organizations for our Special Awards.

Deadline: Nomination links for the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards are now closed. The deadline for nominations was Friday, October 10, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The nomination links will be updated shortly to reflect 2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards submissions.

If you need further assistance or have a question, please send us an email or call us at 905-356-7521 ext. 3341. 

The following volunteer and special awards are available for nomination:

  • Stamford Collegiate Alumni Association Award in Memory of Barbara Frum – Recognizes contributions to arts and culture in Niagara Falls. The City’s Culture Committee sponsors this award.
  • Civic Pride Award – Honours individuals, groups, organizations and youth (18 and under) with community pride. They help make the city a nicer, cleaner place to live. They make a difference to the daily lives of those who live here. All nominations deemed in keeping with its intent shall receive an award. The most outstanding nomination shall be awarded the civic award trophy. The City’s Recreation Committee sponsors this award.
  • Environment Award – Acknowledges efforts to protect and enhance our local environment
  • George MacPhail Award – Recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions to recreation. It is made in memory of George MacPhail, a former Niagara Falls elementary school vice principal and a long-time, dedicated member of the City of Niagara Falls Recreation Committee.
  • Senior Volunteer of the Year Award – Celebrates seniors (60+) who make a significant impact through volunteer work
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year Award – Honours young volunteers (21 and under) who go above and beyond the volunteer service required by their school

Other prestigious awards include (not available for nomination):

  • BeNF Award - Presented by the Mayor’s Office. It recognizes people who are proud to be part of the fabric that makes up Niagara Falls and have given back in a generous way to fellow residents.
  • Doug Austin Award - Presented by The Niagara Falls Review. Given to a person in the community in recognition of dedicated volunteer service and accomplishment in sports. Made in memory of Doug Austin, a longtime and respected sports editor for the newspaper. Although the Niagara Falls Review makes the final choice of the award winner, citizens are encouraged to pass on their suggestions to the current sports editor of the newspaper.

Award recipients will be notified by email with the invitation and event details. Nominating organizations may bring a limited number of guests.

  • Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
  • Location: The Exchange, 5943 Sylvia Place, Niagara Falls (off Main Street)
  • Schedule:
    • 6:00 pm – Welcome Reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres (cash bar)
    • 6:30 pm – Awards Ceremony
    • 8:00 pm – Event concludes

Check out the photo gallery from the previous awards ceremony.

Individual recipients

Recipient Last Name, A to K Recipient Last Name, L to Z
  • Missy Acker
  • David Besaw
  • Shannon Boles
  • Laurie Bremner
  • Brian Chamberlain
  • Beth Dal Bianco
  • Donna Dalgleish
  • Sheila Deluca
  • Jarrod Dunlop
  • Stephen Finley
  • Harvey Gordon
  • Terry Hetherington
  • Danika Jayawardena
  • Bryant Karner
  • Bruna Louden
  • Milana Manojlovic
  • Ashley Marazzo
  • Angelo Miniaci
  • Sylvia Occasion
  • Antonia (Toni) Pantusa
  • Tony Picca
  • Peggy Potapczyk
  • Jennifer Schembri
  • Cheryl Scott
  • Larry Storm
  • Tasha Van Dun
  • Beth White
  • Eric Zabal

Corporate sponsor recipients

  • Canadian Tire Store
  • DeVries Fruit Farm
  • Dr. June Mergl
  • Eye Wellness
  • Gordon Wright Limited
  • Great Wolf Lodge
  • Greg Frewin Theatrical Centre
  • Parkview Equipment
  • ServiceMaster Restore of Niagara
  • Stamford Lions Club
  • Stargas
  • Tim Hortons
  • Turkstra Lumber
  • UPS Store

Special awards

  • Barbara Frum Award: Jack Custers
  • BeNF Award: Henry Wojnarowski, with Bella & Willow
  • Civic Pride Award: Domenic LiLalla
  • Doug Austin Award: Lucas Bahdi
  • Environment Award: TD Friends of the Environment
  • George MacPhail Award: Pat Kelly Sr.
  • Senior of the Year Award: Dennis Bray
  • Youth of the Year Award: Avery Ross

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca