The Town of Georgina honoured members of the community with the 2024 Volunteer Award of Merit at a ceremony at the ROC on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
“Volunteers are the heart of Georgina — their selfless service strengthens the fabric of our Town by bringing people together,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the recipients of the 2024 Volunteer Award of Merit. Their outstanding contributions and unwavering generosity have made a lasting impact on our community. This year we gave a special recognition award to the Pefferlaw and District Lions Club for their dedication and spirit of service. Their quick action and support during the ice storm showed their leadership during a crisis. They turned the Lions Hall into a warm refuge for residents who had lost power. On behalf of Council, I thank them for their contributions to our community and for being a wonderful example of a Georgina Volunteer Award of Merit recipient.”
The Pefferlaw and District Lions Club offer a wide variety of inclusive events for people of all ages, from bingo nights and euchre tournaments to kids’ holiday events and their popular summer street fest. The Lions also reinvest in the community by donating to the local food bank, providing back-to-school supplies for kids, supporting Special Olympics teams and youth sports, contributing to the Heart and Stroke Society, backing the local curling program, and collecting recycled eyeglasses for people in need overseas. The Pefferlaw Lions exemplify what it means to serve with heart. Through teamwork, generosity and unwavering dedication, they prove time and again that even in a small town, community involvement can make a big difference.
The following is a list of the Volunteer Award of Merit recipients:
Individual Award of Merit
- Chris Girdlestone
- Jim Beechey
- Bette Banks
- Emiko Balazik
- Elizabeth McLean
- Jessie Sedore
- Janice Osborne
- Morris Cohen
- Deborah Todoschuk
- Ron LaCombe
Youth Award of Merit
- Lucien Joly
- Daniel Bennett
Community organization Award of Merit
- Keswick High School food program
- Georgina-Brock Garden Club
Business Award of Merit
- Colour Central Hair Studio and Spa
- Sweet Pea Boutique
- Last Rodeo BBQ