Nominate a community champion today!
Oakville residents spend countless hours volunteering their time to make our town a better place to live, work and play. Community Spirit Awards are presented annually to individuals of all ages, organizations, businesses and community groups who make a meaningful impact through volunteerism or acts of kindness.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Award – sponsored by Creative Arts Financial, a division of FirstOntario Credit Union
Recognizes those who have made a significant voluntary contribution to the artistic and/or cultural community of Oakville. This includes the development, support, conservation or promotion of local heritage, culture, music, visual, performing, or literary arts.
Climate Action Award – sponsored by JNE Landscape and Maintenance
Recognizes those who have demonstrated environmental leadership. This includes significant voluntary contributions to the sustainability, protection, conservation, or beautification of Oakville’s natural and built environments.
Good Neighbour Award – sponsored by Chartwell Retirement Residences
Recognizes those who have made significant contributions in their neighbourhood. Neighbourhood contributions include showing kindness, instilling community pride, or ensuring public safety to make Oakville a better place to live, work and play.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Award – sponsored by Access Abilities
Recognizes those who have made significant voluntary contribution, beyond legislated requirements, to make Oakville a more inclusive community.
Inspiration Award – sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
Recognizes those who advocate for others, motivate the community, or have had an inspirational influence on others.
Leadership and Innovation Award – sponsored by FirstOntario Credit Union
Recognizes those who exemplify leadership or innovation, and inspire others to work collaboratively and respectfully to enhance the quality of life of others.
All award nominees must have:
- Dedicated their time to an Oakville organization or have made a difference in Oakville during the past year.
- Contributed to the Town of Oakville’s vision of being a vibrant and livable community for all and demonstrate at least one of the values of the town (leadership, inclusivity, fiscal responsibility, sustainability, excellence and quality of life).
- Addressed a challenge or identified a priority in the Oakville community, as it relates to the award category.
- Made a significant impact/positive benefit in the community through their actions and activities (please provide specific examples).
A selection committee made up of Council members and community leaders will review each nomination and select the recipients. The selection committee reserves the right to move a nomination to a more appropriate category, if necessary. All decisions made by the selection committee are final.
Sample Community Spirit Award testimonials are provided as guidance for completing our online nomination form.
About the award artist
Each year, the Town commissions a local artist to create the award pieces presented to each winner.
The 2026 artist is Megan Hazen. Hazen is an acrylic painter who incorporates wood burning into her work to add depth and dimension to each piece. Her paintings often feature animals and places that remind her of home, with each artwork representing a memory that contributes to a larger story. Her CSA award pieces are now on display at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre.
Congratulations to the 2025 recipients!
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Community Spirit Awards!
The dedication and contributions of our volunteers are a large part of what makes Oakville a vibrant community. All of our nominees were celebrated at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC) on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
The 2025 Community Spirit Awards were presented to:
- Carol Gall – recipient of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award (sponsored by Creative Arts Financial, a division of FirstOntario Credit Union)
- Suvi Kakan – recipient of the Climate Action (sponsored by JNE Landscaping and Maintenance)
- Alice Agar and the Iroquois Ridge Older Adult Centre Special Event Committee – recipients (tie) of the Good Neighbour Award (sponsored by Chartwell Retirement Residences)
- Elise Ahenkorah – recipient of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Award – sponsored by Access Abilities
- Siddhanta Goel – recipient of the Inspiration Award (sponsored by RBC Royal Bank)
- Akshaj Kshirasagar – recipient of the Leadership and Innovation Award (sponsored by FirstOntario Credit Union)
Read the full list of nominees and their stories
The awards featured artwork by Elena Martoglio, a talented glass and ceramic mosaic artist who has created unique pieces to be presented to each award recipient at the event. The awards ceremony was emceed by Chris Mei.
- Oakville Public Library
- Maps
- Funding and Grants
- Public Engagement Hub
Contact
Community Spirit Awards Chair
905-845-6601, ext. 3978
Thank you to our sponsors...