Cathy Davis (Volunteer and Community Service)
The City of Timmins has presented Cathy Davis with a Heart of Gold Award for her decades of dedication to community volunteering and local sports development.
You may know Cathy as a passionate supporter of the Terry Fox Run, helping to make it a cherished annual tradition in Timmins. Her commitment has inspired generations to come together for a cause rooted in hope and community spirit.
Cathy was also instrumental in the growth of Special Olympics Timmins. From introducing floor hockey to launching the speed skating program, Cathy has helped create inclusive opportunities for local athletes.
Thank you, Cathy for your time, leadership, and advocacy.
Céleste Lévis (Achievement in STEAM)
Mayor Michelle Boileau was proud to present Céleste Lévis with a Heart of Gold Award at the TSO’s “Christmas with Céleste Lévis” holiday extravaganza. The award was presented for her contributions to music and Francophone culture.
Céleste continues to inspire Franco-Ontarian youth through performances and workshops across the country, and is getting set to release her latest album this February!
Congratulations, Céleste, on this well-deserved honour!
Take Two Theater (Volunteer and Community Service)
Congratulations to Take Two Theatre on 40 years of dedication to arts, culture, and community.
Take Two Theatre has been presented with a Heart of Gold award for their work inspiring creativity through the art of storytelling and live performance. Entirely volunteer-run and non-profit, the organization has brought the magic of live theatre to life in Timmins.
Lorraine Cantin (Volunteer and Community Service)
We were pleased to present Lorraine Cantin with a municipal Heart of Gold Award for her contributions in promoting interest and education in science.
For more than five decades, Lorraine's work with students, educators, and families has served to make science more accessible, engaging, and fun. Her leadership in organizing science fairs and innovative school projects has helped countless young people explore and develop a passion for the world of science.
Lorraine’s continued work with Science Timmins and her role in establishing the Science Village have left a lasting mark on our community’s educational landscape.
Lorraine’s decades long contribution to science education is an example of how one person’s passion can ignite a community’s love for learning.
Kim Meunier (Volunteer and Community Service)
If you’ve ever cheered for a match at the McIntyre Curling Centre, you’ve likely seen Kim Meunier in action — not on the ice but behind the scenes, making it all happen.
From curling championships to women’s empowerment and road safety advocacy, Kim’s volunteer work has touched lives across Timmins. Now, she’s being celebrated with a Heart of Gold civic recognition award — and we can’t think of anyone more deserving!
Kim’s Heart of Gold nomination recognizes her as a pillar of the community – someone who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to volunteering and leadership, both in and outside the curling rink.
Thank you, Kim, for inspiring volunteers, supporting local athletes, and contributing to meaningful social change.
Estela Chow (Volunteer and Community Service)
Estela Chow: A fixture in the business community, an active volunteer with the Schumacher Lions Club, founding member of the Filipino Association in Timmins. Now, a Heart of Gold civic award recipient.
Estela was nominated for the volunteer work she does to feed the hungry, welcome new residents to Timmins, and promote cultural diversity.
Her Heart of Gold nomination reads, "Timmins is a beautiful place to live because of people like Estela who focus on the positive. She puts her money where her mouth is and, when she sees something in the community that needs to be fixed, she fixes it with her time and love."
We couldn't agree more. Congratulations Estela. Thank you for everything you do.
Schumacher Lions Club (Volunteer and Community Service)
The Schumacher Lions Club has been recognized with a Heart of Gold Civic Award for their part in bringing the International Peace Park to life.
Have you been? It’s part of the Lions Club Park right across from the McIntyre Community Centre. Over 30 poles have been planted representing the different cultures and countries that make up Timmins.
“The Lions Club helped transform a shared space into a place of reflection, unity, and pride that represents the city’s diversity and heritage. The park is an example of the how the Schumacher Lions Club works to create lasting impact in our community by encouraging a culture of giving back, strengthening social bonds, and inspiring change.” ~ Michelle Boileau
Timmins Festivals and Events Committee (Volunteer and Community Service)
A powerhouse of volunteer drive and determination. One group whose objective was to bring live music back to Timmins on a large scale. Big name rock and pop artists. Chart-topping country stars. Crowds of screaming audience fans in the wash of stage lights and a pounding sound system.
If you like your music LOUD and LIVE, you love TFEC. These guys reinvented the outdoor concert experience in Timmins. Over a decade of rocking the river, and Timmins, and Rocktoberfest, and Beerfest ... and there's no sign of slowing down. They're only getting bigger, better, and louder ... and while they're helping make Timmins ROCK, they're boosting local tourism, helping support local hotels, retailers, and restaurants.
That's why the City of Timmins presented TFEC with Heart of Gold civic awards tonight. More specifically, John Olaveson, Jeremy Wilson, Sean Harris, Norm Dwyer, Sara Bertrand, Sarah Tonelli, Lise Groulx, and Paul Pigeau.
Thank you for making Timmins ROCK even more!
Julia Romualdi (Volunteer and Community Service)
The City of Timmins presented Julia Romauldi with a Heart of Gold civic recognition award for the positive contributions she has made to Timmins and her community.
Her list of accomplishments is long, and highlights her tenacity and commitment to mentor and encourage young athletes, support Special Olympics, and advocate on behalf of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. You may recognize Julia from her work with Tim Hortons on their Global Day of Inclusion Campaign. Julia is a figure skater, public speaker, medal winner, athlete leader, and can now add national influencer and inspirational role model to her long list of accomplishments
Julia’s efforts inspire meaningful social change, promoting equal rights and opportunities. To meet Julia is to understand that when we help break down the systemic barriers that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face, both the individual and the community thrive.
Thank you for everything you do Julia!
Mitch Bolduc (Volunteer and Community Service)
If you haven't seen his photography across social media, do a quick search! Mitch Bolduc's photos showcasing Timmins create an opportunity to stop and appreciate what we have in the north. His pride in the community can be seen in every photo, and it is this positivity that gives Mitch a heart of gold. It’s an honour to recognize how his enthusiasm for photography and his love for the city improves the culture of Timmins.
Rick Marin (Volunteer and Community Service)
Rick Marin is being honoured for the countless time and effort he has put into developing the Timmins ATV Club, and the network of club sanctioned trails that connect riders to all areas in and outside of Timmins. This includes Rick's work with City Council to have a number of street-access routes approved so that you can reach the trails from home. Rick’s passion and leadership have led to numerous improvements in trail navigation, wayfinding signage, trail maintenance and safety.
Antoine Garwah (Achievement in STEAM)
City Council had the privilege of recognizing the contributions of community member Mr. Antoine Garwah, President of Science Timmins since 1970. He was nominated for his passion and dedication, and over 50 years of teaching and program delivery, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
His contributions include raising funds for and organizing regional science fairs, science Olympics, robotic competitions, and more. Mr. Garwah has worked to secure a partnership with the Canadian Space Agency, which allows local youth to launch scientific experiments at the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base. Thank you for making Timmins a great place to play, learn, experiment, and dream!
École secondaire catholique Thériault Athletes (Achievement in Sports)
Ten Timmins athletes from École secondaire catholique Thériault were honoured with Heart of Gold Recognition Awards at tonight's City Council meeting.
Each student displayed competitive excellence while achieving gold and silver wins in Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) track and field, cross-country running, and Nordic skiing competitions.
Congratulations to Kiana Charest, Anthony Minarik, Chantal Kukulka, Nicole Kukulka, Jillian Daguerre, Isabelle Rivard, Maia Kinsella, Sydney Picard, Lyla Presseault, and Brooklyn Molnar. Also pictured with their very proud high school coaches, Joel Ruel and Sabrina Sullivan.
Steve Meunier (Volunteer and Community Service)
Nominated by the McIntyre Curling Club Board of Directors for his tireless effort to support the sport of curling as a player, trainer, coach, volunteer board member, and now president of the McIntyre Curling Club. His love of curling frequently takes him outside of Timmins, serving as a coach/trainer and former councillor for the Ontario Curling Council and Chair of the 2010 Canadian Police Curling Nationals. His participation in bringing the 2023 Canadian U18 Curling Championships to Timmins has set the standard for sports tourism events in the city. Meunier’s commitment as a volunteer extends beyond the curling ice. Local organizations like the MADD Timmins Chapter and the Canadian Cancer Society/Cops for Cancer have benefited from his experience, and he is a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Whitney Fire Department.
Douglas Nicholls (Volunteer and Community Service)
Nominated for his over 30 years of volunteer service with the Connaught and District Historical Society, which also celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2023. As a director, he was instrumental in fundraising for the Connaught & District Historical Society Pioneer Museum’s original construction, and continues to help operate the museum. His history of volunteering for the community began in the early nineties, and included fundraising with the Connaught Community Association for a new community centre, which remains a place of pride for residents on the shores of Frederick House Lake.
Stéphanie Morin-Robert (Achievement in STEAM)
Stéphanie Morin-Robert was recognized earlier this month at the performance of her critically acclaimed play, “Blindside /Angle Mort” at Centre Culturel La Ronde. Morin-Robert was nominated by Conseil scolaire catholique des Grandes Rivières as a former student of École secondaire catholique Thériault, who has distinguished herself in the world of national and international arts. Her one-woman show recounts Morin-Robert’s younger years as a cancer survivor, and the importance of resiliency and self-acceptance. By performing her award-winning show in French, Morin-Robert continues to support and strengthen Francophone culture and language.
Ron and Lucille Moisan (Volunteer and Community Service)
Ron and Lucille Moisan were nominated for their over 20 years of volunteer service to the South Porcupine Food Bank, and for their work on the Bannerman Park Porcupine Restoration Committee. They are credited with being a “community-minded couple” who are well-known for helping anyone in need for over 60 years.
In 2003, recognizing that Bannerman Park was underused and could use some rehabilitation, Ron and Lucille formed a committee of residents who wished to assist with restoration of the park. Through their leadership, a park design was approved and reconstruction of the gardens, lighting, pathways, and gazebo was completed over several years. Efforts included significant fundraising for the upgrades and on-going maintenance of the park. Bannerman Park is now a popular space for weddings, picnics, and summer concerts on the shores of Porcupine Lake.
Cameron Grant (Volunteer and Community Service)
Cameron Grant was nominated by the 2022-2023 Board of Directors for Mount Jamieson Resort for his outstanding contributions to the organization. He is commended for his work on rebranding the snow resort, rebuilding its reputation as a pillar of sports and community excellence, and helping to create a viable and sustainable recreation facility for Timmins and area.
Through Grant’s stewardship as a member of the Board of Directors, he is credited with creating a space that celebrates innovation, supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and remains accessible to residents in Timmins and the region.
“We at Mount Jamieson cannot stress enough our appreciation and recognition of his tireless hours of commitment, dedication, expertise, and experience, as well as his love and passion for the sport [of skiing] … and to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are in place to secure [the resort’s] longevity and success well into the future.” ~ Mount Jamieson Board of Directors 2022-23