Community Spirit Awards

The Community Spirit Awards celebrate the individuals, groups, and businesses whose volunteer efforts make Middlesex Centre a welcoming, vibrant, and connected community. These awards honour contributions of all kinds — from quiet acts of kindness to long‑term commitment and leadership.

Award Categories

Individuals and community organizations will be recognized for their contributions in one or more of the following categories.

• Arts, Culture and Heritage: 
  Honouring those who volunteer their time to support, celebrate, or preserve Middlesex Centre’s arts, culture, history, or heritage — including music, visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and heritage conservation.
• Environment and Climate Action: 
  Recognizing volunteers who show leadership in protecting, conserving, or beautifying our natural or built environments, or who help move our community toward a more sustainable future.
• Sports and Recreation: 
  Celebrating individuals (including teams) and organizations that promote sports, recreation, fitness, and healthy, active living through volunteer work.
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility: 
  Honouring those who go above and beyond to help make Middlesex Centre a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible community.
• Good Neighbour: 
  Recognizing neighbours who make a positive difference where they live—through kindness, neighbourhood pride, community safety, or simply by helping create a great place to live, work, and play.
• Community Inspiration: 
  Celebrating those who motivate, uplift, or inspire others through advocacy, leadership, or personal example.
• Volunteerism & Citizenship: 
  Honouring individuals who have shown exceptional volunteer commitment over many years (more than ten), contributing in multiple areas of service or through local service clubs.

Some years may have fewer or more recipients in each category, depending on the nominations received. All nominations are reviewed based on how they reflect the municipality’s values, address community needs, and demonstrate a clear, positive impact on Middlesex Centre.

Eligibility Overview

Individuals, community organizations and businesses are eligible for Community Spirit Awards.

• Individuals
  • Up to three individuals may be recognized each year.
  • People of all ages are eligible.
  • Awards can also be given posthumously.
• Community Organizations, Groups & Businesses
  • Up to three organizations, groups, or businesses may be recognized each year.
  • Groups may be long‑standing or formed to meet a specific community need.
  • Businesses can be recognized for volunteer or community‑based contributions that go beyond their regular operations.

To be eligible:

• Individuals must live, work, or attend school in Middlesex Centre, or have contributions focused here
• Organizations and groups must serve or be based in Middlesex Centre
• Businesses must demonstrate volunteer-based, non-commercial contributions (service must be unpaid and volunteer‑driven)

Certain nominations are not eligible, including those:

• Promoting hatred, discrimination, or intolerance
• Political or partisan groups
• Faith-based organizations unless the service provided is non‑religious and open to all
• Commercial entities whose contributions are tied to business gain

The full eligibility criteria are available in the program overview attached below.

Nomination and Selection Process

Nominations are accepted year‑round.

• Nominations received by March 1 will be considered for the current year’s awards.
• Nominations after March 1 will be reviewed the following year.

A selection committee made up of council members, municipal staff, and a community representative reviews all eligible submissions. Decisions are based on the strength of the nomination and how well the criteria are met. Committee decisions are final.

Nominations may be held for future consideration where appropriate.

The Office of the Clerk will contact award recipients before their names are announced publicly.

Recognizing Award Recipients

We look forward to celebrating with the recipients each spring. Recipients are honoured through a public announcement, an in‑person ceremony at a Middlesex Centre Council meeting, and a personalized certificate/award.

Submit a Nomination

Submit the completed form online at the button below, or drop a printed copy off at the Middlesex Centre Municipal Office or the Komoka Wellness Centre.

Community Spirit Awards Nomination Form

Hard copies of the nomination form are available at both locations.