The awards are a celebration of the contributions made to our communities by the resourceful and creative staff and volunteers who work within the Niagara voluntary sector. The event serves as a vehicle for celebrating the remarkable resiliency and initiative the sector is using to meet the increasingly complex needs within our communities.

Selected from almost 70 nominations, winners demonstrated significant impact and measurable improvement over the previous year. Please join us in celebrating all nominees and the winners:

Organizational Sustainability:  WOMENS RESOURCE CENTRE

Fundraising:  Two awards were presented in this category WOMENS PLACE OF SOUTH NIAGARA INC. AND THE WELLAND HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Strategic Plan and Implementation:  TOWN OF PELHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD

Board Involvement and Efficiency: NIAGARA ANAPHYLAXIS SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE (NASK)

Commitment to Volunteer Involvement: CHILDRENS DISCOVERY CENTRE OF NIAGARA

Human Resources:  CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, NIAGARA BRANCH

Telling Your Story:  UNITED WAY OF SOUTH NIAGARA

Operational Efficiency:  ST. JOHN AMBULANCE, NIAGARA FALLS BRANCH

Environmental Organization of the Year: STAMFORD CENTRE VOLUNTEER FIREMENS ASSOCIATION

Agricultural Organization of the Year:  NIAGARA WOODLOT ASSOCIATION

Innovative Collaboration/Partnership Development: UNITED WAY OF ST. CATHARINES & DISTRICT

Corporate Social Responsibility (1-99 employees):  MOUNTAINVIEW HOMES

Corporate Social Responsibility (100+ employees):  SEAWAY MARINE TRANSPORT

Community Leadership Awards:

Voluntary Sector Leader:  SYLVIA BERKHOUT, THE HOPE CENTRE

Emerging Leader:  NATALIE HOWARD

Corporate Leader:  Mary TURNER, CANADIAN TIRE FINANCIAL SERVICES

Niagara College Centre for Community Leadership Instructor/Consultant of the Year:  DEB ANDERSON, NIAGARA HEALTH SYSTEM

Sponsors of the awards this year include Service Canada, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Cogeco Community Television, Gotcha Covered Chair Cover and Linen Rentals, and Land Care Niagara.