Recognizing Volunteers

VO's Annual VOscars Awards

The VOscars is the highlight of the year for the city’s volunteers and not-for-profits. The event celebrates Ottawa’s vibrant volunteer community and gives special recognition to those individuals, organizations and businesses that have made a difference in the community.

Nominations for the 2023 VOscars Awards will open in Spring 2023. VO is also currently seeking our 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner — let us know if you have a good candidate!

“Year after year, day in and day out, Ottawa depends on volunteers to improve lives, break down barriers and create opportunities for people across our city. […] Volunteers represent the kind of quiet determination and heroism that inspires others to act.”

— Geoff Simpson, CFO Hydro Ottawa, speaking at the 2022 VOscars

2022 VOscars Awards Winners

Congratulations to all our 2022 winners!

Mayor’s Award for Volunteer Spirit: Vaccine Hunters Canada – the Ottawa Team

For ensuring that information about vaccine availability in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario was kept up-to-date, as well as developing and hosting the Vaccine Hunters “self service” website which was available 24/7 throughout Canada.

Young Leader in Volunteering: Zaina Karaki and Kaelyn Aldridge

For their work as co-chairs of the Sir Robert Borden High School’s Kiwanis KEY club, where they led their fellow students in undertaking numerous volunteer projects in the community.

Outstanding Senior Volunteer: Bill Woodley

For his dedication to Oxfam’s Stamp Program, where he leads a team of volunteers that raises over $30,000 a year by selling stamps to collectors.

Leadership in Corporate Volunteerism: Amdocs

For their long-standing relationship with Christie Lake Kids, where Amdocs employees help with repairs and cleaning, fundraising, and run a Leaders in Training program that offers mentoring and personal development opportunities.

Willis College Pathway to Possibilities Award: Doris Qian

For her volunteer work with the International Institute of Business Analysis to help individuals pursuing careers in the business analysis profession, by organizing monthly guest presentations.

Innovation Award: Catholic Centre for Immigrants — Ottawa

For developing new, virtual ways for volunteers to continue supporting programs such as Conversation Circles, Matching and Mentoring, resulting in record levels of volunteer engagement.

Outstanding Volunteer Program: Ottawa Community Housing

For their Volunteer Engagement Program that matches over 350 corporate volunteers to projects that provide OCH’s 32,000 tenants with home repairs and improvements that wouldn’t happen otherwise.

A special thank you to all the nominees and finalists as well. Your hard work and dedication are appreciated!

2022 Lifetime Achievement Award

Every year Volunteer Ottawa presents a Lifetime Achievement Award to an outstanding Ottawa citizen who has devoted her/his life to giving back to the community.

Marc Jolicoeur

Our 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient is the late Marc Jolicoeur, an experienced leader, lawyer, and community builder recognized for his legal expertise, his leadership and management skills, and his tireless community engagement. Marc served as a volunteer for numerous charitable organizations over the years, including as a member of the Boards and committees of the University of Ottawa, United Way Canada, United Way Ottawa, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, and the Ottawa Civic Hospital, to name a few. He graciously accepted this award before his passing in February 2022.

Previous recipients include: