Community Betterment
Peterborough Housing Food Bank Volunteers
The Peterborough Housing Food Bank Volunteers is comprised of seven individuals who consistently volunteer at food banks run at 835 Cameron St. and 30 Alexander Ave.
These volunteer-run programs offer food boxes and nutritious food options to lower-income families. The food provided comes from Kawartha Food Share. These volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure that each family receives essential items they may not be able to afford.
The volunteers are Brandi Pacesa, Kimberly Varrett, Travis Bowen, Rebecca Mason, Dorothy Coady-Laking, Daniel Laking and Isaac Laking.
Aya Darrouba
As a dedicated volunteer with the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD), Aya exemplifies what it means to be a recipient of a community betterment award. As a Canadian and as a Syrian refugee sharing lived experiences as an individual that is visually impaired, she has become an inspirational role model.
Aya is a member of the Time in my Shoes (TiMS) facilitation team and has presented to both her high school and to YMCA volunteers about disability awareness. Aya helps educate others while looking to help build a more inclusive community where everyone can be seen as equals.
Kinsmen Club of Peterborough
The Kinsmen Club of Peterborough is a volunteer group supporting many community initiatives and has been a staple in Peterborough since its inception on April 17, 1930.
The Club's initial service project, the Eye Clinic, raised $35,000 to supply glasses and frames to the community between 1954 and 1966.
Throughout the 1970s, the Club developed the Kinsmen Centre and took over the Santa Claus Parade. The Club also supports Cystic Fibrosis, Boy Scouts, Minor Hockey, the 5 Counties Children’s Centre, The Humane Society, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
More recently, over the past two decades, the Club has organized the Kinsmen Soap Box Derby, became a major sponsor of the Festival of Lights, and hosted Peterborough’s Kinsmen Riverside Arts and Craft Show and Sale.
Trevor Hesselink
Growing up in Peterborough, Trevor Hesselink spent his younger years learning how to skate on the canal.
Following a two-decade long absence from the City of Peterborough, Trevor returned to the City. With the goal of sharing his love of skating on the canal, Trevor took it upon himself to maintain a stretch of approximately 300’ of ice along the canal, maintaining it from the end of December to the beginning of March. Trevor did this for the joy of seeing families and members of the community coming together to experience a free skate at all hours of the day or night.
At his own expense, Trevor purchased a second set of batteries to power his electric snowblower, more than 300’ of heavy-duty hose, a hand Zamboni and also re-plumbed the outdoor tap of his house to prevent line freezing so that he could flood the canal each week.
Activity Haven Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at Activity Haven has played a vital role in ensuring the successful operation of the centre, guiding it with leadership that is progressive, accountable and proactive.
These board members dedicate countless hours each month, attending meetings, serving on committees, and sharing their expertise in areas such as human resources, finance, government, health and safety, and strategic planning. Their guidance has been invaluable in helping Activity Haven grow and in shaping its strategic plan for 2023 to 2026.
Board members are familiar faces at programs, events, and activities, always willing to listen, support, and connect with members. Their dedication reflects a deep belief in the value of community and in making sure that older adults in Peterborough and beyond have access to programs and services that enrich their lives.
Good Neighbours Care Centre
The Good Neighbours Care Centre has served the Peterborough community since 1989, relying entirely on volunteers to provide food, clothing, and support to families in need.
Every week, there are over seven thousand families in the community who are food insecure. With the help of more than thirty dedicated volunteers, those families are provided with essentials, kindness, and compassion. The work of these volunteers goes beyond providing groceries or clothing. They build relationships, take the time to listen, and remind each person who walks through their doors that they matter.
Cultural Betterment
Guru Sai Charan Pitla
As President and Board Chair of the Fleming Student Administrative Council, Guru Sai Charan Pitla represented over six thousand students, ensuring their voices were heard and their rights protected.
He helped students navigate challenges from housing and employment to immigration and mental health, making Peterborough a more inclusive and student-friendly city.
Beyond campus, he dedicated himself to helping international students adjust to life in Canada, providing guidance and protection while building lasting connections between students and our community. He also led events that promoted diversity, leadership, and mental health awareness, strengthening Peterborough’s reputation as a welcoming and supportive city for all.
Friends of the Library
Founded in 1978, the Friends of the Library has provided volunteer opportunities for many while spending countless hours sorting books and raising money for the Peterborough Public Library.
As of 2024, the Friends of the Library has surpassed the $750,000 fundraising milestone.
Peterborough Girls Hockey Association
The Peterborough Girls Hockey Association (PGHA) has been instrumental in providing opportunities for young women becoming involved in hockey in the City of Peterborough.
The Association offers learn-to-play-goalie opportunities, skills development and showcase tournaments, bringing in people from surrounding communities and celebrating the love of the game while creating an inclusive place for females in hockey.
The PGHA continues to make donations to the Miskin Community Centre and offers different options for young girls and women to be involved in sport.
The PGHA continues to grow and is always open to different opportunities in becoming involved in the community.
Environmental Stewardship/Sustainability
Laura Gardner
Through her dedication as a Master Gardener, Laura Gardner has combined knowledge, vision and countless volunteer hours to bring new life to the City of Peterborough's public spaces.
She was the driving force behind the creation of the Library Common’s native garden and the city’s seed-sharing program. What began as an idea has grown into a vibrant project that encourages residents to learn, share and cultivate native plants that strengthen local ecosystems. Her hands-on work, from planting and weeding to carefully collecting and preparing seeds, shows a deep commitment not only to the environment but also to the people of Peterborough who benefit from it.
Shelley Strain
As Board Chair of GreenUP Shelley Strain has brought energy, vision, and clarity, guiding the organization through some of its most challenging years, including the difficult period during and after COVID.
Her leadership ensured that GreenUP remained strong, continued to serve the community, and emerged with an even greater capacity to support sustainability, conservation, and community engagement.
Shelley's work has inspired collaboration, strengthened stability, and built confidence in GreenUP’s mission to create a healthier and more sustainable city. Through her skills and dedication, she has left a lasting mark on both the organization and the community it serves.
Athletic Award of Merit
Matthew Kathiravelu
Matthew Kathiravelu is being recognized this evening for his outstanding achievements in both basketball and Track & Field.
At the 2024 OFSAA High School Championships in London, Matthew won the Gold Medal in Triple Jump with a personal best jump of 15.1 metres. Matthew also competed in the high jump event finishing 8th place, and 13th place in long jump. In addition to his OFSAA Gold Medal in Triple Jump, Matthew also won the Gold Medal in Triple Jump at the U20 Ontario Championships.
Matthew is also a tremendous basketball player and helped lead the Kenner Rams to an OFSAA Silver Medal in 2024.
Toula Pappas
Toula Pappas has accomplished many feats this past year in both curling and golf.
In 2024, Toula played a crucial role in helping her curling team secure the U18 Provincial Championship, as the Second for Team Vivier. Her team also won Gold at the Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay.
As a student at Trent University, Toula claimed the Club Championship at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club. For her role in being a key player on multiple teams in 2024, Toula was named Varsity Athlete of the Month for Trent University in January 2024.
Along with her fantastic athletic skills, Toula is also skilled academically, maintaining a high-grade point average and earning herself an academic scholarship at Trent University, while also serving on the Athletic Varsity Council.
Stone Shearer
Stone Shearer has represented the Peterborough Canoe & Kayak Club at the regional, provincial and national levels in sprint kayaking. He is the 2024 Provincial and National Champion in the Men’s PaddleAll Special Olympic Spring Kayak.
In 2024, Stone was nominated to Team Ontario for the PaddleAll team. Stone's recent accomplishments include winning Gold at the Eastern Ontario Division of Men’s PaddleAll Kayaking, gold in the Provincial Men’s PaddleAll kayaking, winning the Canadian Championship in Men’s PaddleAll Kayaking, and bringing home another gold medial in Ontario Cup Races in the 200m, 500m, 1000m and 6000m distance events. Stone also beat his personal best time for the 200m distance by eight seconds.
Stone is a tenacious competitor with an outstanding work ethic and dedication to his training. He is always very supportive of his teammates and competitors and always jumps at the opportunity to provide assistance to those who need help.
Mayor’s Youth Award
Rayne Froggatt
Rayne Froggatt is the recipient of the 2024 Mayor’s Youth Award.
Rayne has served five terms as a member of the Youth Council and has shown outstanding leadership capabilities.
Rayne has been at the forefront of many of the Youth Council’s significant initiatives such as Snofest, National Youth Week, Canada Day Parade, the Ride with Me Program, the Downtown Youth Space, and Earth Day Celebrations. She has also pursued volunteer opportunities by accumulating over 180 hours of volunteer work in the community over the last four years. Some of these volunteer opportunities come with fellow Youth Council members in joining the cleanup efforts for Earth Day and supporting local programs including the Kawartha Food Share and Holiday Toy/Food Drives.
Holnbeck Award
John Morris
John Morris has volunteered for various Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) programs throughout his life. He is a dedicated board member for the CPD, and volunteers for the Time in My Shoes (TIMS) initiative, which is led by volunteers with lived experiences.
TIMS uses hands-on simulations to demonstrate challenges that people with disabilities face daily. In this program, John strives to open conversations about accessibility, inclusivity, and creating barrier-free communities.
In addition to his dedication to CPD programs, John also serves as a member of the Peterborough Transit Liaison Committee, a position he’s held since its inception. In this position, John is once again a champion for accessibility for persons with disabilities and always pushes for improvements in public transportation that are inclusive for all members of the community.
Junior Athlete of the Year
Nicole Jin
Nicole Jin has excelled as a dominant young figure skater in the Peterborough Figure Skating Club, winning the provincial championships, notably finishing in second place in Star 5 U13 and finishing in 1% place in both Star 7 and Pre-Juvenile U13 divisions.
Following her incredible 2023-2024 season, Nicole decided to move up to the pre-novice class, with the support of her parents and coaches. Moving to this class requires even more commitment and the ability to begin honing more difficult compulsory skills such as the double axel.
Nicole represented the City of Peterborough at Skate Ontario Sectionals this past December, the first PFSC skater to do so in at least 20 years. She competed against high level competitive skaters across the province for a chance at the Skate Canada Trophy at Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta. Nicole performed admirably and placed 25th out of 81 competitors, while competing against girls up to two years her senior.
Adult Athlete of the Year
Cole Lester
Cole Lester has been involved in sports since the age of three. In his earlier years, he began playing many sports such as soccer, track and field, baseball, swimming, badminton, and tennis. Hockey and lacrosse were his two best sports, and he is now excelling at pickleball.
Cole found an immediate liking to pickleball and has found tremendous success in the sport. He has earned over 45 medals, including Gold at the 2024 Canadian Nationals.
Not only does Cole exemplify leadership in sports, he is also committed to giving back to his community by volunteering at recreational games and introducing members of his hockey and lacrosse teams to pickleball.
Senior Athlete of the Year
John Kasperski
John Kasperski has competed in athletics for over 65 years, participating in sports ranging from basketball, track and field which included events like shot put, javelin and high jump.
John began training to compete in the masters division for athletes aged 35 years old and over and competed in his first masters competition at age 39.
He has continued competing in both indoor and outdoor competitions ever since. From his very first competition, he has participated in shot put, javelin, hammer throw, discus weight throw and the pentathlon.
John holds and has held many Ontario masters indoor records in 45 shot put and 70 weight throw. He has also held outdoor records in weight throw, discus, shot put and hammer throw. Despite having both hips replaced, John continues to excel in competition.
John represented Canada once again at the World Masters Competition in Goteburg, Sweden, in August 2024, winning the silver medal in shot put in the 80-85 age group.
More recently, John travelled to Winnipeg where he won the Canadian Championship gold medals in both shot put and weight throw.
John is a member of the Canadian and Ontario Masters Hall of Fame, the Toronto Throwers Club Hall of Fame and the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Brianna Hearn-Finney
Brianna Hearn-Finney has demonstrated considerable dedication and commitment as a student volunteer at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) since 2022, contributing over 138 hours of volunteer service in 2024 alone, helping members of the community to find their way at the hospital.
Brianna helps train new volunteers at PRHC. Volunteers are a vital component of the hospital, and the work they perform in a challenging environment is appreciated.
Volunteer of the Year
Yvonne Zerafa-Rapson
Yvonne Zerafa-Rapson has made it her mission to be a strong presence in the City of Peterborough through her volunteer commitments.
Over the last four years, Yvonne has volunteered for the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance program. In her role, she sorts through toys, helps clients shop for toys, and works to enlighten the spirit of all community members during the Christmas season.
It is common for Yvonne to volunteer five days a week and seven hours a day during the Christmas season. In addition to her role with the Christmas assistance program, she now volunteers for the Salvation Army Food Bank.
Yvonne has given countless hours supporting the Brock Mission men’s shelter, helping to provide shelter residents with their annual Christmas Eve meal.
She has also been a long-time supporter of Cameron House, donating clothing, food, toiletries and bedding for women in need.
Yvonne also volunteers with the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, donating supplies to the shelter and to the LAWS thrift store, providing everything from towels and linen to food and household goods.
Her kindness and steady commitment have touched people and animals alike, making her impact felt across the community in many meaningful ways.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Henry Clarke
Born, educated and raised in Peterborough, Henry Clarke has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community throughout his life.
Henry worked at Quaker Oats up until 2019, when he retired after 43 years. He also joined the local militia in 1972, rising to command the Regiment until retiring in 1997 as Lieutenant Colonel.
After retiring Henry continued to give back to his community by pursuing a career in municipal politics, representing Monaghan Ward from 1998-2022, including four terms as Deputy Mayor.
Henry has sat on many boards and committees, and his central line of thinking is always how he can better the community, and what he can do to improve the lives of those in his community.
These are some of the major volunteer efforts Henry has embarked on throughout his life:
- A member of the committee to mark the Silver Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
- Starting the Quaker Employees Toy Drive at Quaker Oats to ensure every child in the community had a toy to open on Christmas.
- Starting the Peterborough Militia Show and Sale to raise funds for the local Regiment and its army cadet corps. After 30 years and thousands of dollars raised later, this show is still running.
- Helping found the Kawartha Food Share, serving for 18 years as a board member.
- Forming the “Clean Again, Green Again” movement which cleans city parks every Earth Day.
- Organizing a group of volunteers to form Homegrown Homes, which provided affordable housing to almost 100 of the most vulnerable in the community.
After more than 48 years of serving and bettering the City of Peterborough, Henry is still actively involved in local projects helping to make the City a better place.
