Staff
Is there someone who has made a difference through being a volunteer?
If so, then nominate them for this upcoming year’s Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
With the deadline for the annual recognition a little under two months away, nomination forms are available at http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 25.
These can be submitted either online or mailed in.
The annual awards are given out by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and are meant to honour the thousands of people across the province who contribute their time.
If there are enough local people nominated again this year, the province will host another awards ceremony locally when these are rolled out across the province in the spring.
Last year’s ceremony—held May 18 at the Townshend theatre—saw more than 70 people from across the district recognized for their contributions to the community.
Award winners receive a stylized trillium pin and a personalized certificate.
To qualify, a person must have volunteered with an organization for at least five years, with nine levels of service recognized: five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30+, 40+, 50+, and 60+ years of continuous service.
Nominees must not have received payment for their volunteer work, must be active beyond simple membership in an organization, and must not have performed the services as part of their regular business or professional duties.
Youth nominees also are accepted. They must be under the age of 24, and have volunteered with one group for at least two consecutive years.
Only organizations that have been providing services for five years or more can nominate an individual for the Volunteer Service Award.
Organizations eligible to nominate someone include not-for-profit and non-profit organizations and associations; co-operatives; boards and commissions; businesses; government ministries that recruit volunteers; arts, educational and correctional institutions and schools; municipalities; and long-term care homes and hospitals.
