PICKERING: Schmooze, Acknowledge and Appreciate : The Szpinner

The City of Pickering held its annual Civic Awards, May 12, 2025, a night of celebration, ‘schmoozing,’ and appreciation.

The celebration
The Civics Award night was a night of celebration for the City of Pickering where invited guests joined the City in celebrating outstanding citizens of Pickering. These residents have contributed immensely to the municipality as volunteers and activists promoting and boosting its image and presence.

The ceremony was attended by the many guests of honour, the award winners, City councillors and municipal executives and special guests from Ottawa.

The ‘schmoozing’
Every politician takes advantage of opportunities to ‘schmooze and this event was ideal for doing so as there were three hundred attendants at the function. The attending politicians, municipal and federal, found it the perfect opportunity to shake hands, ‘schmooze’ and mingle with local residents, guests associated with the special guests of honor, the award winners.

The Mayor Kevin Ashe, his councillors and the federal representative gladhanded the crowd before and after the ceremony. The politicians met with the attendees, welcomed them and socialized with enthusiasm.

The appreciation
The Civic Awards ceremony is the City’s opportunity of recognizing and acknowledging volunteers and community activists who have contributed significantly to advancing and benefiting various causes in the City. These award winners are volunteers whose work and effort improves life in Pickering, often for unrecognized and needy people. Seniors, the isolated, the hospitalized, the homeless and the hungry are given assistance by these volunteers in many ways. They provide social assistance. They create art celebrating and bringing awareness of the beauty in the City. They are actively involved in delivering assistance and services that benefit the needy in the City.

The Award Winners

To read detailed information about each winner,
click -> AwardDetails

Special Citation Award
Justin Barnes
Justin Lui
Jayde Riviere
Courtney Stott
Nyl Yakura

Bravery/Heroism Award
Brian Gonyou

Lifetime Achievement Award
Diana Gladwell
Samuel Ofe-Brobe
Tony Sharpe

Individual Volunteer Award
John Paul De LaPlante
Peter Green
Michael LeClair
Fatima Mustafa
Richard Szpin

Service Group Award
St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank

Community Group Award
Community Crafters
Probus Pickering Lakeside Club

Amateur Sports Award
Ryan Coholan
Belinda Logan
Nancy Mary Phillips

Youth Volunteer Award
Jenna Hamdan
Mir Hashimi
Sharanga Jeganthan

Youth Leadership Award
Ana Roy Massey

Arts Awards
Alex Akbari
Javid Jah
Nyle Miigizi Johnston
Catherine Tammaro

Cultural Diversity Award
Julian Baricuatro
Debbie Thompson

Heritage Award
Oddside Arts

Economic Development Award
AtkinsRealis
Derlea Brands Food Incorporated

Local Business Award
Premier Brands
Tooth Connection Dental
Senior Helpers Durham Region

Environment Award
Susan Munderich

Green Builder Award
Regional Municipality of Durham Seaton
Long-Term Care Facility

Animal Advocate Award
Jennifer Gould
Stu Johnson
Paul Kelly
Maya Mahabir

The City of Pickering is to be commended for its recognition and public acknowledgement of volunteers and activists who have contributed so much to improving lives and life in the City. This is an important event and a great opportunity for celebrating and recognizing noteworthy citizens of the City of Pickering.