Spirit Award nominees named for their positive impact on Oakville

They make a difference in the Oakville community and now they are being recognized for their kindness.

The Town of Oakville announced the 44 nominees for this year’s Community Spirit Awards.

The individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups (some received multiple nominations) have been nominated for their positive impact on the Oakville community through volunteer efforts or acts of kindness.

This marks the 21 year for the community awards which are being celebrated after undergoing a refresh to include broader awards categories.

After not holding the awards last season, the town has combined the past two years (2021 and 2022) into a special event set to be held at the at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (2302 Bridge Road) on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

The nominees for this year’s awards are:

Arts, Culture and Heritage Award

• Bonnie Glass – Wearable Art Show
• Bronte Historical Society
• Carlene Ling aka Vanda Li
• Grant Foster
• Margaret Catley
• Marie Decker
• Oakville Diwali Committee
• Oakville Symphony Orchestra
• Reem Al-Rawi
• Steve Bysouth
• Sybil Rampen
• Wendy Donnan – Oakville Festivals of Film and Art (OFFA)

Climate Action

• Hannah Kohler
• Mervyn Russell

Good Neighbour Award

• Brenda O’Connor
• Bruce Pellowe
• Cecelia Lovelock
• Kim Melhuish – Food Bank Friday Team
• Leslie Osborne
• Penny Smith
• Shelley Thornborrow

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Award

• Gennile Thomas-Smith
• Julia Hanna
• Lynn Pike
• Marlyne Van Exan
• Nic Hotchkiss
• Seniors Working Action Group

Inspiration Award

• Danny Foran
• Debbie Suleman
• Desmond Jordan – Make a Great Pass Equipment Organization
• Fabio de Rango
• Jack Kukolic
• Jeannie Garton
• June Lee
• Kacy Zhang
• Kent Stirling
• Lionel Latter
• Lorna Van de Mosselaer
• Margaret Larson
• Patrick Gorman

Leadership and Innovation Award

• Grant Foster
• Matthew Aslett and Tony Ceelen
• Narine Dat Sookram
• Sundeep Khosla

This year’s Community Spirit Awards have been designed by local artist Rafia Shafiq, who specializes in phulkari embroidery. The embroidered work will be presented to each award recipient at the event.

Chris Mei, of the Weather Network, will once again emcee the event.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. and a reception serving sweets and treats.

Tickets will be available to the public beginning May 23 here., while they last.