Civic Recognition honours given to eight recipients

By Staff

October 30th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington City Council handed out Civic Recognition honours to eight recipients at a special meeting of Council on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The residents were recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts in the community.

Civic recognition is presented twice a year, in the spring and fall. Applications for civic recognition nominations are open year-round at burlington.ca/civicrecognition.

Fall 2024 Civic Recognition recipients

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Andrea Binnington – As the Student Nutrition Program Leader at Clarksdale Public School for over five years, Andrea ensures every student starts their day with a nourishing breakfast. Beyond providing a meal, Andrea has built a community that promotes wellness, learning and kindness. She demonstrates every contribution, no matter how small, has value. Her efforts have made a lasting impact on the school community and Burlington.

Burlington Able Sail – Each summer, Burlington Able Sail provides sailing opportunities and instruction for individuals with a physical or cognitive disability. With a dedicated team and specialized boats, Able Sail has been enhancing the quality of life for Burlington residents for over 20 years by making sailing accessible to all. The program is a place where participants experience the freedom of being out on the water and build valuable friendships.Burlington Food Bank

Community Gardens – For the past four years, Community Garden Coordinator, Samantha Le Grand and a network of approximately 75 volunteers have dedicated their time to growing fresh produce that is shared through the Burlington Food Bank. In teaching the community about gardening and eco-friendly food practices, the gardens are also helping others to build important food literacy skills that support food security and mental and physical health.

Victoria Guzik – Since 2019, Victoria has supported new mothers in Burlington to help them with the challenges of isolation and uncertainty that can be felt in the early stages of motherhood. Victoria organizes inclusive and supportive networks that provide a safe space for new moms to share experiences, seek advice, and form lasting friendships. Her efforts help new mothers in the community connect, empower one another, and celebrate their journeys.

Meals of Hope – Led by Pat Gilmore and Nancy McKenzie, the Meals of Hope program at Port Nelson United Church prepares, cooks and distributes hot meals and sandwiches for between 300 and 500 people every week. The program began in COVID to assist those in need. Since 2020, Meals of Hope and its team of 50 volunteers have continued to cook meals to meet the needs of the community.

Iman Nemar, right, and Olivia Netto

The Pink Project – Started by university students Iman Nemar and Olivia Netto, the Pink Project provides free feminine hygiene products in public washrooms throughout Halton Region. The Pink Project believes period products should be available to all those who need them, and conversation surrounding menstruation should never be an embarrassment nor something we hide. Their work is helping to shed light on issues that are often overlooked when it comes to periods and menstrual health, not just in Burlington but around the world.

The Price Family – For the last four years, Al, Tina and Ty Price have worked to champion local music and build a sense of community in their Appollo Road neighbourhood with the Live at the Apollo driveway concert series. What started during COVID as a way to support local musicians and the community during lockdown has continued to grow. Each summer, the Price family organizes the Live at the Apollo concert every second Friday. All proceeds from the event go to the musicians who volunteer their talents and time.

Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore (Ribfest) – For over 25 years, the annual Ribfest event at Spencer Smith Park has helped to raise more than five million dollars to support local Burlington charities. Hundreds of volunteers from Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore dedicate their time every Labour Day weekend to coordinate the event. It is one of Canada’s largest ribfest events.

In May 2024, the City of Burlington announced a new civic recognition initiative to celebrate the individuals and groups who volunteer to make Burlington better. Nominated individuals or groups have demonstrated a high level of achievement in one of the following areas:

• Contributed significantly to the quality of life in the community through volunteer efforts
• Identified and addressed a priority need in the community and put a solution into action
• Achieved provincial, national, or international recognition and, in doing so, have brought honour to the City of Burlington