County of Brant honoured volunteers from across the community at the third annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2025.
The event, held at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre, included the presentation of awards to 57 individual volunteers and 5 community groups.
“Volunteers bring so much to Brant, and I cannot begin to express how grateful and lucky we are to have the support of the individuals and organizations that donate their time in our communities,” said David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant. “Thank you for your commitment and for making a difference in Brant.”
For the third consecutive year, the event took place on International Volunteer Day, providing an opportunity for the County of Brant to celebrate both individuals and groups in the community. Residents were encouraged to nominate an individual, group, committee or club that has contributed in a meaningful way to the County.
Nominations were submitted for the following categories: Community Leader (individual) and Community Impact (group). Awards were also presented to 37 Simply Grand Volunteers, recognizing individual citizens who have dedicated 15 or more years to a longstanding community group or service club.
2025 Volunteer Recognition recipients include:
Community Impact (Group)
- Paris Horticultural Society
- 1st Paris Scouters
- Brant for Nature
- County of Brant Public Library Board
- Paris Soccer Club
Community Leader (Individual)
- Dave Collins – Paris Horticultural Society
- Bob Hasler – Paris Horticultural Society
- Dorothy Lanyi – Paris Horticultural Society
- Brenda Hunt – Paris Horticultural Society
- Pat Hasler-Watts – Paris Horticultural Society
- Laura Ritchie – St. George Lawn Bowling Club
- Mike Harp – Paris Soccer Club
- Kevin Noseworthy – Paris Soccer Club
- Martina Sooksbirsingh – Paris Soccer Club
- Margaret Knill-Wilson – Paris Lions Club / Christmas Hamper
- Vera Abbott – Scot-Oak Seniors
- Janette Schieman – Scot-Oak Seniors
- Marie Thornton – Scot-Oak Seniors
- Jerry Thornton – Scot-Oak Seniors
- Diane Patenaude – Optimist Club of Scotland and District
- Shirley Simons – Girl Guides/ Christmas Hamper
Simply Grand Volunteers – 15 years+
Burford Lions Club members
- Al Piggot – 52 years
- Bob Foster – 45 years
- Dave Thomas – 44 years
- Joe Kloepher – 34 years
- Brian Spivey – 30 years
- Garry Givens – 30 years
- Al Clack – 18 years
Optimist Club of Scotland and District members
- Mary Poss – 32 years
- Cindy Ross – 32 years
- Kathy VanBerlo – 32 years
- John VanBerlo – 32 years
- Al Shepherd – 32 years
- Don Patenaude – 32 years
- Sylvia Meggs – 31 years
- Mary Patenaude – 30 years
- Bob Hevesi – 24 years
- Donna Crawford – 17 years
- Heather Poss – 16 years
Mt. Pleasant Optimist Club members
- Tom Tamm – 31 years
- Walt Vogt – 27 years
- Amanda Campbell – 20 years
- Jeff Overeem – 20 years
- Mary-Jane Hart – 18 years
- Greg Campbell – 17 years
- Brian Englefield – 15 years
Paris Lions Club members
- Ron Moore – 66 years
- William Kipp – 43 years
- David McLean – 42 years
- David Arsenault – 38 years
- Airie Kloss – 38 years
- David Shewfelt – 36 years
- Derrick Porter – 35 years
- Bruce Falkiner – 32 years
- Herb Thompson – 32 years
- Louie Alamo – 28 years
- Ken Linington – 27 years
- Dwayne Budgell – 26 years
- Gerry Runstedler – 26 years
- Robert (Ted) Bickell – 22 years
- Ken Cox – 18 years
- Philip Raney – 15 years
