Cambridge Chamber of Commerce - Community Award

The amazing achievements of local not-for-profits, charities and service clubs were recognized at the 2019 Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s 7th annual Community Awards which celebrates the hard work undertaken by the volunteers and staff of these organizations in the past year.

Hundreds of community leaders and their guests filled the Hamilton Family Theatre for the awards which is one of the Chamber’s most popular events and has honoured the contributions and achievements of these community builders since 2012.

“These awards are our way of acknowledging how much we appreciate and admire these organizations and individuals and what they do to make our community a great place to call home,” said Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “The wide extent of their outstanding work is something we should all be very proud of and celebrate.”

“It was not an easy task to select just a few,” said Durocher, noting there were many worthy organizations and individuals among the nominees.

BEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
THE WINNER: ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS BY 2020, CITIZENS FOR CAMBRIDGE
This award is presented for an event or program that was implemented by an organization, which made a huge or important impact, that increased awareness and/or boosted the bottom line. Bob Howison led this project and accepted the award representing Citizens for Cambridge.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
THE WINNER: KEITH RIVERS, CITIZENS FOR CAMBRIDGE
The nominees were involved in volunteering for the equivalent of at least 100 hours more than a 12-month period. Nominees volunteered for a legitimate not-for-profit organization, service club or community group. The communities of Cambridge/Township of North Dumfries or Waterloo Region must be significant beneficiaries of the nominee's volunteer work.

House of Friendship - Buhr Legacy Award

The 2019 Buhr Legacy of Friendship honours citizen groups who actively participate in strengthening and supporting those in need in our community to make it a healthy community where everyone can belong and thrive. Advancing the mission of House of Friendship to walk-with those struggling with the effects of poverty or addiction, they live out our values of compassion, inclusion, justice, dignity and hope in very practical ways. Even when it’s difficult, they refuse to lose hope, choosing instead to see possibility and opportunity for a better future. They ask “how can I help?” and become champions of hope for the individuals and families who need food, housing, addiction treatment, or access to vital community resources. In compassion, they lend their voices, hearts and hands to ensure that no one in our community goes without and that everyone’s voice is heard and everyone is treated with dignity.

In House of Friendship’s 80th year of service to this community, we recognize the members of the citizen group Citizens for Cambridge for their passion and dedication to this community, to those in need and to their own journey of personal growth. In the midst of the very difficult opioid crisis, they choose to observe, listen, learn and grow – to be challenged and to challenge. They stepped up to be part of the solution and choose to influence change by partnering with the systems and programs in place, inviting neighbours and friends to see new possibilities and creative solutions. They choose to be purveyors of hope and extend the hand of friendship to those in need.

Citizens for Cambridge were the recipients of the 2019 Buhr Legacy at the House of Friendship Annual General Meeting. Executive Director John Neufeld and Board President Mary Friesen presented the honour to Dan Clements (centre) representing Citizens for Cambridge.

Volunteer Action Centre - Volunteer Impact Award

Since 1984, Volunteer Waterloo Region has provided connections and leadership to support the development of individuals and organizations through volunteerism.

"We continue to provide a central hub for accessing current volunteer opportunities and share best practices and continuous learning for professionals in the nonprofit sector.

Every year we recognize volunteers in different categories with a Volunteer Impact Award." The 2019 winner for the Grassroots Involvement: Citizenship Award is Dan Clements from Citizens for Cambridge.