Volunteer Appreciation Awards

Volunteer Appreciation Awards

The Municipality of Lambton Shores recognizes and honours the achievements and contributions of community volunteers. These prestigious awards express Council’s appreciation of the many individuals and community groups who work to enhance the quality of life in Lambton Shores.

2025 Nominations will open on Monday, April 28, 2025.

Each year, nominations open late-April and are due on the third Friday in June. Council typically present the awards annually at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner in the Fall. Nominations are accepted for the following award categories:

Accessibility Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the elimination of barriers to people with disabilities, and/or the inclusion of people with disabilities in all facets of the community.
Arts and Culture Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the development, support, preservation or promotion of culture, music, visual, performing or literary arts.
Environment Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the protection, preservation, beautification, awareness and/or promotion of our local environment.
Good Neighbour Awards
Awarded to Lambton Shores residents and/or groups for their outstanding efforts and actions that have enhanced or improved our community. A maximum of three individuals and/or groups per ward may be awarded each year.
Heritage Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to heritage preservation, architectural conservation, research and/or interpretation of local heritage.
Sports and Recreation Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the promotion, development and/or support of recreation and/or sport in the community.
Lambton Shores Civic Awards

Recognizes two individuals in each age category who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of our community over a number of years. This award recognizes local champions who build communities and show us all what can be achieved with passion and determination.

Age categories:

  • Adult: 26 and over
  • Youth: 25 and younger
Outstanding Community Group Award
Recognizes a community group for its outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of our community.

Additional resources:

2025 Nominations will open on Monday, April 28, 2025.

2024 Recipients

The Municipality of Lambton Shores would like to congratulate this year's volunteer award recipients. We are truly grateful for all that you do for our community. 

Group photo of award recipients and members of council

Lambton Shores Civic Awards

Recognizes individuals and/or groups who have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of our community over a number of years. This award recognizes local champions who build communities and show us all what can be achieved with passion and determination.  

Keith Watson

Civic Award Recipient - Keith Watson

Keith has been an active volunteer in our community for the past 50 plus years! From Minor Baseball to Forest Scouts; to the Forest Legion and the Forest Optimist Club, hundreds, if not thousands of kids have been provided the opportunity to participate in sports due to Keith’s willingness to coach, manage, organize and mentor over his lifetime. His efforts have also raised thousands of dollars for community groups and projects including sponsorships for local minor sports teams and recreational facilities.

As a member of the Meals on Wheels program, Keith also provides a much-needed service to many seniors in our community.

Keith’s involvement with several different organizations over the years has had a direct and positive impact on the fabric that is Lambton Shores. We are very fortunate to have people like Keith in our community.

 
Arts and Culture Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the development, support, preservation or promotion of culture, music, visual, performing or literary arts.
Teresa-Marie Phillips

Arts and Culture Award Recipient - Teresa-Marie PhillipsTeresa-Marie is a well-recognized name in our community and beyond when it comes to her dedication to enriching the cultural landscape of Lambton Shores. Her contributions including the Grand Bend Art Centre, Paint Ontario, and the Grand Bend Beach House Manual Project have provided an outlet for local artists to create and display their talents while allowing the community the opportunity to enjoy them.

Teresa-Marie’s commitment to the community also extends to our youth by providing various camps and workshops for them to express their creativity through art. Teresa-Marie, we are thankful for all that you have done for our community so far and we look forward to what else you have in store for us.
Sports and Recreation Award
Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the promotion, development and/or support of recreation and/or sport in the community.
Heidi Dinel

Sports and Recreation Award Recipient - Heidi Dinel

Heidi has volunteered for the Forest Minor Baseball Association for the past 30 years. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Association, she has been instrumental in providing a quality baseball program for the youth of Forest and its surrounding area. She has held several executive positions over the years including President, Vice President, Equipment Manager and Umpire Coordinator. Heidi has also acted as a coach for 3 generations of baseball in this community.

Heidi has dedicated a large portion of her life mentoring youth in Forest through the sport of baseball. Her love of the game and her community shines through year after year as she hits the diamond for some fun. 
Outstanding Community Group
Recognizes a community group for its outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of our community. 
Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre Exercise Instructor Team

Outstanding Community Group Award Recipient - GBACHC

This group of instructors has been enthusiastic about bringing physical fitness activities including line dancing and other programs to the senior citizens of Lambton Shores for a number of years.

Their contribution and commitment to the wellness of the community is commendable as noted by their ability to pivot to an online program during the pandemic and then back to in person classes when it was safe again. Participation continues to grow as exercise and a healthy lifestyle becomes an important part of people’s everyday life. These programs would not be possible with the dedication of our volunteer instructors. Thank you for your efforts in enhancing the quality of life for our community and continuing to bring people together 

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