The Municipality of Brighton is inviting residents to nominate outstanding volunteers for its 2026 awards recognizing community dedication. Nominations are now open for the Community Service Excellence Award and the Youth Community Service Excellence Award, formerly the Junior Citizen of the Year Award.
The Community Service Excellence Award celebrates adults who have made meaningful, long-term contributions to Brighton without receiving compensation for their volunteer work. The new Youth Community Service Excellence Award recognizes students in grades 7 through 12 who have positively impacted the community through volunteer efforts, school activities, or other local initiatives.
In addition, Spirit of Service awards will acknowledge nominees who demonstrate commendable service even if they are not selected for the main awards. Previous Spirit of Service recipients may be nominated again.
Residents can access nomination forms online at brighton.ca or pick up paper copies at the Municipal Office, 35 Alice Street. Completed forms must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on March 6, either in person or via email to cbirch@brighton.ca. All submissions will be reviewed by the Community Events Committee, which will select the award recipients.
A special ceremony to celebrate winners and honour community volunteers will take place on April 23 at the Owen Gibb Community Centre, 75 Elizabeth Street. Nominees will be contacted and invited to attend, with tickets for community volunteers available beginning March 30.
Mayor Brian Ostrander encourages residents to nominate those who make Brighton stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. “Brighton thrives because of the dedication and compassion of our volunteers,” he said. “Let’s celebrate the people who quietly do extraordinary things.”
For more information on the nomination process, visit brighton.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
