‘Volunteers are the backbone of our community’: Aurora honours residents at Community Recognition Awards

Tina’s Grill owner honoured with Citizen of the Year Award

yorkregion.com
June 2, 2022
Laura Broadley

On May 30, the Town of Aurora honoured 23 people for their contributions to the community.

The Community Recognition Awards is an annual event dedicated to acknowledging volunteers in Aurora.

For their years of service in the 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 year categories, 11 people were recognized and 12 people were recognized with individual category awards.

Mayor Tom Mrakas noted the importance of volunteers to the town of Aurora. “I’ve said it many times, I think volunteers are the backbone of our community. Without them we would truly not be the strong, thriving, vibrant community that we are,” he said.

Mrakas said even the small things people do for the community are important. “Everything that every single person does for our community, they give their heart and soul. They don’t do it to be recognized and that’s what makes this event so special is that we can come here and recognize them, and we celebrate them,” he said.

The special honour of the night, Aurora’s Citizen of the Year Award, went to Tina’s Grill owner Sam Saberi.

Saberi was recognized because of his efforts to collect donations for numerous causes, including donations to Ukraine. Mrakas also noted Saberi’s efforts to save a person after a car accident.

“It means the world to me. I had no idea it was coming, but this is as much my award as it is the whole community’s because the community always steps up for us at our restaurant. Giving back is something we’ll always do. I’m so very thankful for (the award),” Saberi said.

Community Recognition Awards

Volunteer Service (20 years)

Barbara Barker

Terri Briggs

Wayne Briggs

William McCleery

Peter Thorman

Volunteer Service (25 years)

Mary Haberer

Volunteer Service (30 years)

Suzanne Charlebois-Bin

Volunteer Service (35 years)

Bob Cole

Volunteer Service (40 years)

Robert Kennedy

Volunteer Service (45 years)

Carol Preston

Deborah Simerson

Youth Volunteer Award

Michael Chen

Senior Volunteer Award

Jackie Catto

Green Award

Lissa Dwyer

Arts and Culture Award

Linda Welch

Community Leadership Award

Welcoming Arms

Good Neighbour Award

Alma Durkin

Community Safety Award

Judy Brunton

Good Business Award

Tina’s Grill

Topper’s Pizza Aurora

Inclusivity Award

Aurora Black Community

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rosalyn Gonsalves

Citizen of the Year Award

Sam Saberi