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For Immediate Release
November 11, 2021

It's time to shine like a star!

City of Niagara Falls 41st Annual Volunteer Awards Highlights

NIAGARA FALLS, ON - The City of Niagara Falls recognized 42 individuals and corporate sponsors Tuesday night at the 41st Annual Volunteer Awards. The red carpet event was held at Club Italia and attended by nearly all of the honourees along with Mayor Jim Diodati, their nominators, and supporters.

The City's Volunteer Awards honour and recognize those who have made significant contributions to the lives and well-being of others in our community by giving their time and lending their talents and labour. Local organizations are invited to recognize one individual and one corporate sponsor each year, and the public is welcome to nominate anyone for one of seven special awards. The Mayor's office may also select recipients for the special BeNF award. Honourees are listed on the City's website niagarafalls.ca/volunteerawards.

This year, 22 individuals and 11 corporate sponsors have been recognized by 24 local organizations, including the City of Niagara Falls Farmers' Market, Canada Day and Santa Claus Parade Planning Teams, and the Mayor's Youth Advisory Commitee (NFMYAC).

Corporate Sponsors

Chapel Heights (Connie Spiece)
Costco (Rachel Mercier)
Creeksides Ice Cream Parlour & Cafe (Tammy Boucher)
Inspired Strategy Inc (Jessica Potts)
Kettlebells Niagara (Tina Boccabella)
Letourneau Hindo Professional Corporation (Rima Hindo)
Lococo's (Erin Lococo)
Niagara Helicopters (Anna Pierce)
Subway Victoria Avenue (Callen Turner)
Tim Hortons (Paul Bright)
Williams Fresh Cafe (Rick Carter)

Individuals
Muhammad Alwaz Aziz
Gail Barnes
Cherlyn Borowski
Bethany Boyle
Ron Charbonneau
Clayton Corcoran
Dave Cowan
Michael D'Amico
Lisa Dano
Manoj Edamana
Barbara Greenwood

 

Jessica Gullion
Madeline Mantler
Gisele Martin
Elizabeth McLean
Mary Pedersen
Lucy Ricci
Ryan Rivers
The Seibel Family (Ken, Stacey, Julia and Emily)
Erin Susin
Frank Vescio
Andrea Wiggins
Special Awards
BeNF Award presented to Jim Boutilier
As Chief of the City of Niagara Falls Fire Department, Jim Boutilier retired with a legacy of strategic command, compassion, and success. When called upon to lead the City's Emergency Operations Team at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he drew upon a wealth of experience garnered over a lifetime in emergency response roles. Over the past two years, Chief Boutilier's dedication and positive attitude steered Niagara Falls successfully through challenges faced by communities around the world, which helped keep the City running at peak performance. Today, his legacy of leadership stands as an example for others to follow.

BeNF Award presented to John McCall MacBain
One of our City's greatest supporters, John McCall MacBain proudly wears his love for Niagara Falls on his sleeve. MacBain received his first award from the City as a  young lifeguard, a role which seems to have sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and led to his development as a business mogul. His philanthropic endeavours kept pace with his success, including the establishment of the McCall MacBain Foundation with Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, significant contributions to the MacBain Community Centre and Shelley MacBain Family and Children's Services Centre, and an annual scholarship program for youth with leadership potential. Recently, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, MacBain reached out to some of Niagara's hardest-hit, front-line workers: nursing home and long-term care staff. He sent gifts thanked each of them for their selfless service in helping the most vulnerable members of our community.

Stamford Collegiate Alumni Association Award in Memory of Barbara Frum presented to Dr. Debra Attenborough
Dr. Debra Attenborough is a lifelong advocate, teacher and student who has tirelessly worked toward the betterment of Arts and Culture in Niagara Falls, sharing the wealth of her extensive knowledge and experience to the Niagara Falls Art Gallery and art community.  As Executive Director, Dr. Attenborough has heralded the Gallery in the digital age, reinvigorating programming and expanding services into assisted living facilities, bringing Art and Arts Education to every corner of Niagara.
 
Civic Pride Award presented to Anne Westhues
Anne Westhues makes the City of Niagara Falls a more beautiful place. For the past 10 years, as a lead volunteer with the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society, Westhues has planted the seeds of many gardens and friendships. A beloved presence in the Armoury Garden neighbourhood, she is known and respected for her extensive horticultural knowledge and for always responding kindly to the people who pass by and admire the site while she's working. Dedicated to the garden and the gardening community, Westhues served for several years as the recruiter and coordinator for many Horticultural Society volunteers at the Morrison, Dorchester, and Montrose Fire Hall gardens. 
 
Environment Award presented to Kinsella's Simply Organics
Debbie and Jim Kinsella have brought their sustainable, healthy farming dreams to Niagara Falls, for the benefit of the people and the planet.  With over 27 years of experience, and farming in their blood, their vision, determination, and leadership serve the community with a variety of fresh, local, seasonal vegetables, microgreens, herbs, and edible flowers, without harmful chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. Recently, in keeping with their sustainable farming model, the Kinsellas started raising bees to support natural pollination. 
 
George MacPhail Award presented to the late Robert "Barney" Barnes
Robert “Barney” Barnes was an outstanding contributor to the Niagara Falls sports community as a fine athlete, coach, and referee. He also served as the City’s Superintendent of Parks and Cemeteries until his retirement, and was one of the original members of the City’s Sports Wall of Fame Committee, dedicated to recognizing the achievements of other locals in sports. In 2006, for his contributions as a builder in the City’s sporting community, Barnes was inducted into the Niagara Falls Sports Wall of Fame.

Barnes coached minor baseball teams from 1949 to 1955, achieving both City and Niagara District championships. He also coached two Ontario Finalist teams in 1949 and 1951, one Ontario finalist squad in 1953, and the 1955 Ontario Champions, the Niagara Falls Citizens. His officiating career covered baseball, football and hockey at the high school, college and professional level where he officiated in more than 350 games as a Linesman in the American Hockey League. He was president of the G.N.B.A., the G.N.S.A., and the Niagara District Baseball Association and a long-time member of the Niagara Falls Recreation Commission.

His award was accepted in his honour by his son, James.

Doug Austin Award presented to Wernher Verbraeken
Presented by the Niagara Falls Review in memory of Doug Austin
As vice-president and co-founder of the Niagara Falls Rowing Club, Wernher Verbraeken's dedication to the rowing community and development of young rowers is well known. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and cancelation of the 2020 and 2021 high school rowing seasons, Verbraeken loaned the rowing machines from the Club to young athletes so they could resume training, at home.  He also volunteered to coach the athletes and provided many hours of virtual training sessions on Zoom. Recognizing a unique opportunity, Verbraeken recorded the training sessions and shared them with the athletes to  watch their technique and further enhance their training. Verbraeken’s ability to see past the obstacles and to replace “no” with “no problem” is one of the reasons he received a COVID Champion Award from Rowing Canada. It also exactly why Wernher Verbraeken is the 2021 Doug Austin Memorial Award winner as the Niagara Falls sportsperson of the year.
 
Senior Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Harvey Gordon
Ever since he was a young boy, Harvey Gordon has been dedicated to the Niagara Falls community. Gordon has spent years volunteering, advocating for the City of Niagara Falls, and raising money to help others. For many years, he would ride his bike from Niagara Falls to Walt Disney World (Florida), to raise money for FRIENDS (Furthering Recreational Integration Emphasizing Need Developmental Skills). His  passion for cycling and developing Niagara Falls as a bike-friendly city, Gordon pushed for better bike lanes and spearheaded a car-free day along the Niagara Parkway. As a businessman, Gordon often donated buses and drivers to charity events when they needed transportation. And for 40 years, Gordon has volunteered his services as a tour guide, to promote his hometown and tell visitors from near and far about the wonders of our great city.
 
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Daniel Krowchuk
Former Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee Member, DSBN Student Trustee senator,  and Westlane Student Council leader, Daniel Krowchuk is an inspiration to all. Currently completing his third year as a medical sciences student at Brock University, Krowchuck serves as the Student Union Elections Coordinator, and volunteers for Brock Human Rights and Equity Office, the Brock Insititute for Healthcare Improvement Club, the Niagara Health Engagement Network Patient Partner program, the Niagara Regional Public Health Mass Immunization Clinic, the Red Cross Friendly Calls program, and the Chippawa Presbyterian Church. Krowchuck also leads weekly team meetings at the non-profit Bookworm Initiative, which he co-founded. In spite of his many commitments and dedication to the community, Krowchuk continues to achieve academic success and spend quality time with his family and friends.
 
There is no cost to nominate or be nominated.  Nominees must reside in or perform a significant portion of their volunteer or sponsorship efforts in and for the benefit of the City of Niagara Falls. Nominations are received online, year round, at niagarafalls.ca/volunteerawards.

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For more information, contact:

Beth Angle
City of Niagara Falls, Department of Recreation & Culture
(905) 356-7521 ext 3336
bangle@niagarafalls.ca

Copyright © 2021 City of Niagara Falls, All rights reserved.


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