City of Brantford held its annual Volunteer Recognition Celebration on Monday, April 20, 2026.
The event was held in partnership with the Brant Regional Association of Volunteer Administrators (BRAVA), and honoured the hardworking volunteers who dedicate their time to the greater community.
“Today, we gather to celebrate the invaluable contributions of those who selflessly dedicate their time, talents and passion to the betterment of our community and the people that call Brentford home. Volunteering your time has profound impacts, both on others and yourself,” said Councillor Rose Sicoli. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of the community, embodying the spirit of generosity and service that defines our city. Whether you have spent countless hours supporting local charities, mentoring our youth, caring for the vulnerable, flooding a rink, shoveling snow for seniors in need, or enhancing our parks and neighbourhoods, your efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals.
“Tonight, we come together to express our deepest appreciation for your unwavering commitment and to honour the impacts you’ve made,” she continued. “On behalf of the entire city, I extend my sincerest thanks to each and every one of you. Your passion, your kindness and dedication inspire us all and remind us of the endless power we possess when we come together and serve a common purpose. Thank you for everything you do to make great for the vibrant, caring and thriving community that it is today.”
Deanna Howell, Vice President of BRAVA, later took to the stage to announce the winner of the BRAVA Impact Award to Leo Vos, a long-time volunteer with the Kiwanis Club of Brantford.
“I’m honoured and certainly more than a little surprised to receive this award tonight. I know that there are other very worthy nominees, and I thank them for all the tremendous work they do in our community, and I thank everybody who’s made this evening possible,” said Vos. “I suspect that most of you here tonight volunteer with a group or organization that speaks to your interest and passion, and your desire to make a difference; although it may be cliché, we do get as much, or more, out of volunteering than we put into it.”
He said that much of his volunteer time over the past 27 years has been with the Kiwanis Club, and that along the way he made many good friends, had a lot of fun and has experienced the satisfaction of seeing the impact of its projects and initiatives.
“I’d like to end by encouraging all of you to share with your family and friends the joy and satisfaction you get out of volunteering, and encourage people to help with a cause that speaks to them,” continued Vos. There is so much need, and we all have the ability to make our community a better place to live, work and play. Thank you.”
Sicoli then announced Sandy Rodrigues-Philpot as the recipient of the City of Brantford’s Impact Award.
President of the Navy League of Canada – Brantford Branch, Rodrigues-Philpot has helped expand cadet participation to more than 170 youth in the past decade.
“I stand here because I have some valuable people in our organization. I am nothing without my commanding officers and the staff that make up Admiral Landymore and Admiral Nelles. Our branch is a collective bunch of 20-odd people, …but we are a strong and mighty group,” said Rodrigues-Philpot. “And all of you out here do the same; you give countless hours to your community to make this city what it is: beautiful and capable of a future unstoppable. Thank you for everything you do, for every hour invested, regardless of what organization you represent. Nothing goes forward without the power of people. Look at each other; you should be proud of every effort you make for the City of Brantford.”
“To my cadets who are here this evening, please stand up,” she continued. “Those kids are our future leaders. Those kids are going to make the city better than it is today. They’re the very best Brantford has to offer, and they’re only here because they’re supported by the community before you, not just myself or my officers, but each member of our community who supports us through each fundraiser, each ambition and each goal.”
Lori-Dawn Cavin, Brantford’s Manager of Community Recreation and Events, was then brought up to present the City of Brantford Long Term Volunteer Service Award to Barbara Walsworth.
The long-time volunteer started the Shellard Neighbourhood Association back in 2003, is one of the founding members of the Neighbourhood Alliance of Brantford, and has been heavily engaged in the development of the new Blanche E. Williams Community Centre and Park.
“The neighbourhood association has been very, very special to me for 23 years, and I’m not going away. We still have a lot of work to do with the new Community Centre, which I am looking forward to so much; the day that that door opens, I’m going to cry,” said Walsworth. “It’s been a long time coming, but we deserve it, and we’re going to make good use of it. I love working with the community and with the individuals on the committee. I’m a people person, I just love being out there and doing things for other people, and I’m just honoured by the fact that they gave me this award tonight. Thank you all very much to the neighbourhood associations that have participated and made this city what it is.”
Following the award ceremony, Councillors Linda Hunt, Richard Carpenter, Michael Sullivan, Sicoli, Mandy Samwell and Greg Martin got on stage to hand out a selection of prizes to the audience.
Afterwards, guests were treated to an evening of entertainment provided by members of Zacada Circus School, Studio Cirque and Jorden Moir. Headliner Christian Mascia, a Hamilton-based magician, ended the evening by captivating the audience with magic and illusions.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
