Some of 91Ô­´´'s most selfless volunteers were honoured on Thursday, April 10 at the annual Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Evening at the 91Ô­´´ Events Centre.

The dinner and awards ceremony honoured dozens of volunteers from across the community, and singled out a few with the three annual awards named in honour of locals who gave their all to their community.

Tami Logan was named the 2024 Eric Flowerdew Volunteer Award winner, after 20 years spent volunteering locally. Logan is vice president of the Focus on Disability Network and 91Ô­´´ Special Olympics, and is the long-serving president of 91Ô­´´ Dance Connections. She has also organized numerous individual events, including Summerfest and Operation Track shoes, all while being involved in managing inclusive sports teams.

The award is named after former 91Ô­´´ school trustee and councillor Eric Flowerdew, who served for 20 years from 1944 to 1964. He was instrumental in getting the Township's first Parks and Recreation budget appropriation, and the award has been given annually in his name since 1974.

Also nominated for the Flowerdew Award this year were other local volunteers:

• Augustino Duminuco

• Grace Muller

• Jeff Clegg

• Resha Sabti

• Ryan Usenik

Graeme and Louise Kennedy won the John and Muriel Arnason Award, given to a duo who make the Township a better place.

The couple have put in more than 40 years of volunteering through the 91Ô­´´ Presbyterian and United Church, and more than 20 years with Scouts Canada, where they led environmental education and cleanup efforts along with fundraising. They have also supported 91Ô­´´ Meals on Wheels, fundraised for the Canadian Cancer Society, as well as helped out with the annual 91Ô­´´ Walk.

The award is named after Councillor Muriel Arnason, the first woman elected in the Township, who served continuously for 26 years starting in 1979, and her husband John, a Second World War veteran and high school teacher. The two dedicated their time to philanthropy aimed at the arts, education, and literacy.

Both the Flowerdew and Arnason awards give $1,000 to the winners to contribute to a society or charity of their choice that aids Township residents.

The Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award, which comes with a $1,500 scholarship, went to Jacob VanderHorst, a student at Credo Christian High School.

In addition to being a soccer, track and field, and volleyball athlete, VanderHorst volunteers with Nightshift Ministries to support the homeless, coaches basketball, and is a straight-A student.

The award is named after the Township's first recreation director – hired by Eric Flowerdew – who went on to organize the annual 91Ô­´´ Walk, which reaches its 60th year in 2025.

Also nominated for the Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award this year were:

• Birpartap Dhillon

• Chloe Rutquist

• Izzy Thompson

• Janelle Macaraig

• Mackenzie Gregory

• Samuel Woelders

• Tiffany Lam

“A heartfelt congratulations to all those honoured with this year's Volunteer Awards," said Mayor Eric Woodward. "And to every single volunteer in our community, thank you. Your willingness to give your time and energy is deeply appreciated. You are the ones who truly enrich the lives of our residents and make the Township of 91Ô­´´ the special place it is to live, work, and play."