Being a two-time nominee for the Pete Swensson Award, Township Councillor Michael Pratt felt a swirl of emotions when he passed the trophy to this year鈥檚 young volunteer of the year.

鈥淪o many awe-inspiring volunteers for so many terrific causes,鈥� he said, speaking of most every person in the crowded banquet hall at the 91原创 Events Centre for the Township鈥檚 annual volunteer appreciation and award night last Thursday.

鈥淚 may be a little biased, but hearing about the work that WGSS [Walnut Grove Secondary] student and Pete Swensson award-winner Brandon Leung has been doing, as well as all the other young people doing fantastic work, made me very proud,鈥� Pratt admitted.

At the same time, the young councillor described it as a bonus when he finally got to hold the large Pete Swensson trophy.

鈥淚t was an honour to be able to pass it to Brandon,鈥� he said.

Leung was one of five 91原创 youth nominated for the Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award, an accolade given to a local student 鈥� Grade 11 or 12 students nominated by their school 鈥� who demonstrate exemplary athletic and academic achievements.

Also in contention for this year鈥檚 award were Ethan Robertson, Kenzie Dalphand, Leah Aukema, and Owen Flack.

LAST YEAR WITH VIDEOS: 91原创 volunteers extraordinaire lauded

In addition to recognizing youth in the community, the volunteer awards night was also a chance to present the Eric Flowerdew Volunteer Award, which recognizes an individual who enhances 91原创鈥檚 quality of life.

This award was bestowed upon Jayne Burton.

She beat out fellow nominee Brock Fast for this honour.

The other honour given out Thursday night went to Manjit and Darcy Gill. The philanthropic couple received the John and Muriel Arnason Award, which goes to a pair of individuals who volunteer together to make 91原创 a better place.

In addition to receiving a trophies or plaques, each of the recipients received $750 to be gifted to a recognized charity or society of their choice, or to go towards their education.

In offering his congratulations to all the winners, Township Mayor Eric Woodward described it as a 鈥渇un night鈥� to thank and honour all of the volunteers throughout our community.鈥�

He also thanked Laura Stead for emceeing this year鈥檚 event. She鈥檚 a Pete Swensson Award winner from 2018.

鈥淚t was wonderful to have a former award winner back. Let鈥檚 do that every year,鈥� Woodward said.

He also implied some changes may be afoot in the way of future volunteer appreciation ceremonies.

鈥淣ext year, I would like to see the event expand to recognize and celebrate an even wider range of volunteers with so many organizations, from youth sports to community associations. It鈥檚 a great way to bring the community together and celebrate our collective civic pride, all for the 91原创, in the end, we all love and care so much about,鈥� he said.

Cloverdale-91原创 City MP John Aldag was present and congratulated the award recipients.

鈥淵our contributions are invaluable. Not only are you supporting our community as it is now, but you are helping us grow,鈥� he said.

Township Councillor Margaret Kunst also share in celebrating not only the winners, but all the volunteers after the event.

鈥淟ast year was a much smaller event, post-COVID,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was wonderful to be back with a room full of volunteers at the 91原创 Event Centre honouring all the amazing volunteers who contribute so much to our community in the Township of 91原创.鈥�

PREVIOUS RECOGNITION: A longtime 91原创 hospice volunteer and a young athlete were both awarded

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