Volunteer Appreciation 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

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.

Edward A. White

Ted has been an active volunteer for much of his life. Whether it be a minor hockey coach in his younger years or a program convener and instructor later in life, his devotion to his community wherever he has lived is clear. 

As a program convener for the Port Franks Seniors Club, Ted willingly makes everyone feel welcome and will go out of his way to assist program participants whenever it is requested. His ability to communicate effectively with the public has gained him the admiration of the Club’s executive and members. He is willing take on any task that is asked of him no matter how big or small.

Thank you, Ted for all that you do for our community. 

Awarded to Lambton Shores residents and/or groups for their outstanding efforts and actions that have enhanced or improved our community.

Cathy Jones

Cathy thrives as a volunteer in the community. She is actively involved in several organizations including the Port Franks Seniors Club, Port Franks Garden Club, Lambton Shores Caring Quilters and the Lambton Shores Nature Trails.  As president of the Port Franks Seniors Club, Cathy is very active in the planning and organization of programming and events for the seniors in Lambton Shores. She takes great pride in advocating for the senior community to ensure a clean, safe and inviting environment for the Club’s members and its guests. Cathy is always willing to lend a helping hand whenever and wherever it is needed. She is reliable and dependable.

Thank you for your contributions, Cathy. 

Jim Maguire

Jim has been a valuable member of the Centre Ipperwash Community Association (CICA) for the past 6 years. He has acted as the Treasurer in that time, keeping impeccable financial records for the association. Jim brings forth ideas the improve the quality of life in Ipperwash. He initiated, designed and built the Memorial Planters that can be found throughout the community. He also looks after ordering and installing the memorial plaques along with organizing the plantings, maintenance and removal of the planters each year. They have been a beautiful addition to the community!

Jim is a proud member of the Ipperwash and happily organizes community and beach clean ups to ensure it remains a safe, healthy and welcoming place for everyone. Thanks Jim. Your work is appreciated. 

Gerard Verberne

Despite being new to the Port Franks Seniors Club, Gerry jumped right into the role of Vice President. He gratefully accepts taking on any challenge and seeing it to completion. As a new member, he brought new ideas to expand programing and events for the seniors’ club. He successfully organized the Club’s first annual corn hole tournament last year, which was just as successful in year two.  Gerry works well with the other members of the Club to organize quality programs that enhance the lives of our seniors.

Thank you, Gerry! Well done!

North Lambton Community Centre's Migrant Worker Project Volunteers

The Migrant Worker Project volunteers play a vital role in creating welcoming spaces that help integrate the migrant workers into the Lambton Shores Community. The volunteers have worked tirelessly on numerous programs and events for the workers including holiday celebrations, educational workshops, sporting events, games, and movie nights. Their efforts support the physical, emotional and social well-being of the workers who are often far from home and their loved ones. The volunteers’ work reflects some of the highest levels of volunteerism including empathy, inclusivity and service. which has a lasting positive impact on the entire community. 

Congratulations and thank you!

Awarded to an individual and/or group for contribution to the promotion, development and/or support of recreation and/or sport in the community.

Tyler Patten

Tyler has been an active member of the Grand Bend Soccer Club for the past 2 years and takes great pride in helping create a safe and organized soccer program for the youth in Lambton Shores.  He is not afraid to take on any task when something needs to be done. Tyler has taken on many important roles with the organization including registrar, equipment manager, field scheduler, coaching coordinator, fundraising coordinator and photo day organizer.  

His main goal is to keep this program running for the children as it not only provides a physical outlet for them, but it also helps them develop vital life skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, resilience, and discipline.

Thank you, Tyler. We appreciate all that you do for our community. 

Recognizes a community group for its outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of our community. 

Contact House Community Food Bank

Contact House provides a well needed service for our community with the help of dedicated volunteers who work together as a team towards a common goal - to relieve hunger by providing free, nutritious food to people experiencing food insecurity.

Contact House provides food for approximately 6,000 people each year. To do this, Contact House volunteers accept donations from the community throughout the year and organize larger scale food drives a few times a year…the biggest one taking place at Christmas where they also collect gifts for those in need to give to their loved ones. Their volunteers collect, sort and distribute all the donations. This a huge task, particularly after one of the food drives.

The volunteers organize Contact House in such a way that allows the clients to select their own food, much like they would at a grocery store, while being treated with dignity. Volunteers also take pride in providing a clean and safe environment where no one is ever turned away.

Congratulations on being names the Outstanding Community Group for 2025! Your work is truly appreciated.