Awards & Recognition

Awards & Recognition

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ONGWANADA

Awards & Recognition

Ongwanada is proud of its achievements and will post awards, recognition, and funding success stories on this page.

CONGRATULATIONS

Ten Years of Giving

Desiree Simpson is celebrating an incredible milestone: ten years as a dedicated volunteer with Ongwanada. Pictured with Bert, a gentleman supported by Ongwanada, Desiree first met him through the Ongwanada Friends Program a decade ago.

Since then, their friendship has grown through countless shared experiences, from zip-lining adventures to memorable trips to Niagara Falls. Their connection is a wonderful example of the meaningful relationships that can grow through volunteering.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, we are proud to celebrate volunteers like Desiree, whose compassion, commitment, and generosity of time make a lasting impact.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Desiree on ten years of service and thank her for her continued dedication to the Ongwanada community.

Proud Of Our Volunteers

Volunteers

National Volunteer Week is right around the corner, and at Ongwanada, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our volunteers.

Our volunteers play a vital role in our community, offering their time, compassion, and companionship to the individuals we support. Their dedication creates meaningful connections and enriching opportunities that make a lasting impact.

As part of this year’s celebration, we are honoured to recognize ten individuals as our “Volunteer Stars of the Year” for 2025/26. These outstanding volunteers have demonstrated exceptional commitment, kindness, and advocacy.

Meet Our 2025/26 Volunteer Stars

Karen Lawrence
Karen has built a meaningful friendship with an individual living nearby in an Ongwanada Host Family setting. Over the past year and a half, they have shared many activities and outings, creating a strong and genuine bond.

Evie Turner
Evie has dedicated the past two school years to the Best Buddies program at Queen’s University, serving as co-chair this past year while also maintaining a committed friendship with her Ongwanada buddy.

Alex Tuck
Through the Queen’s Best Buddies Program, Alex has developed a close and lasting friendship. His continued presence in Kingston for the coming year is especially meaningful to his buddy.

Zaina Alam
Since her first year at Queen’s, Zaina has shown remarkable dedication. Her natural connection with her buddy reflects a friendship that feels years in the making.

Maya Middleton
Maya has been a steady and supportive presence for her buddy over the past two years. She has also helped grow the program by encouraging peers to get involved.

Ben Archer
Ben provides companionship and support through regular visits, sharing activities like air hockey with enthusiasm and patience that match his friend’s vibrant energy.

Leigh Ann Bellamy
Over the past year, Leigh Ann has built a strong friendship rooted in consistency and care, often enjoying outings in the community together.

Logan Hynes
Logan’s patience and dedication stand out as he remains committed to his buddy despite scheduling challenges, demonstrating true reliability and understanding.

Claire Lee
Claire offers thoughtful emotional support and reassurance, ensuring her friend feels comfortable, informed, and valued in their time together.

Thomas McCarthy Hansen-Holm
Thomas brings a warm, genuine approach to his volunteer role, forming meaningful connections through kindness and authenticity.

We extend our sincere thanks to all our volunteers for the important role they play at Ongwanada. Your commitment helps build a more connected, inclusive, and supportive community.

If you would like to explore volunteer options at Ongwanada, please visit our dedicated volunteer page.

GARDENS

Kingston Blooms

The City of Kingston began hosting the annual Kingston Blooms Best-kept Garden Awards in 2003. Ongwanada first won the honour in 2004.

In 2006 work was finished on the construction of The Joseph Dominik Sensory Garden, which proved to be a popular candidate for the Kingston Blooms award, Receiving recognition yearly from 2007-2013.

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