Georgetown Lions Citizen of the Year and the Lion Fred Zorge Service Club Member of the Year
Halton Hills Ontario
Media Release
Date: February 20/26
Georgetown Citizen of the Year (COTY)
Georgetown Citizen of the Year 2025 – WINNER: Nicola Gauntley
The Georgetown Lions Club is pleased to announce that Nicola Gauntley has been selected for the 2025 Georgetown Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing her long-standing commitment to volunteerism and her deep-rooted contributions to the Georgetown community.
A proud resident of Georgetown for over 20 years, Nicola has dedicated her time and energy to strengthening the community through hands-on, grassroots involvement, particularly in local schools and family-centered initiatives. Her service reflects a genuine passion for supporting youth, families, and community organizations that provide essential support to those in need.
For more than a decade, Nicola has been an active member of parent councils and school community committees at both the elementary and secondary levels. She has supported literacy initiatives, including school reading programs, and contributed extensively to fundraising efforts that enhance student experiences. Through Parent Involvement Committees and literacy grants, Nicola has helped create more inclusive, supportive learning environments for students across Georgetown.
Beyond schools, Nicola has supported numerous local charitable initiatives and community fundraisers, including Georgetown Hospital fundraising initiatives, Food4Kids Halton, Community Assistance for Supported Housing, C.A.R.E. (Community Alliance Reaching Everyone), Cancer Assistance Halton Hills. She has volunteered for vents such as Movie Under the Stars, Hillsview Active Living Centre programs, and the Georgetown Bread Basket Food Bank. Through these efforts, she has helped provide essential resources and foster connection for families and individuals across the community.
What distinguishes Nicola’s contribution is her consistent, behind-the-scenes commitment to community service. While much of her work takes place outside the spotlight, its impact is deeply felt by families, students, and local organizations that rely on dedicated volunteers to sustain their programs.
Lion President Louie Violo stated “Nicola Gauntley represents the very best of Georgetown’s community spirit. Her quiet, consistent leadership in our schools and community programs strengthens families and creates opportunities for young people to thrive. The Lions Club is proud to recognize volunteers like Nicola, whose everyday service builds the foundation of a stronger, more caring community”.
The awards dinner will be held Tuesday March 31/26 at 6:30pm at the Mold Masters Sportsplex (2nd Floor, price per ticket is $50.00.
To purchase a ticket on line please https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/georgetown-citizen-of-the-year
Scroll Down to Learn More About This Year's COTY
Since 1972 The Georgetown Lions Club has honoured individuals, couples or organizations for their volunteer work in our community. They all have one thing in common, the desire to make Georgetown a better community for everyone. Our Lions members contribute thousands of hours of volunteer work each year we know what it takes to serve and it is fitting that we give recognition to a citizen who has served his or her community in an outstanding way. The final selection is based on the recipient’s achievements and their outstanding contributions to our community. The committee wishes to acknowledge and thank those Georgetown citizens who write to us and made nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award.
How Do I Nominate Someone?
To nominate an outstanding volunteer send a letter or if you prefer use our application form and return it to Lions Club Citizen of the Year, P.O. Box 73, Georgetown L7G 4T1, or email doug1951.p@gmail.com . Past nominations are carried forward for two years and will be reconsidered. This is your chance to truly recognize someone in our community that makes a difference in the lives of many in our town. To nominate using the Lions application form click on the link below:
The Lion Fred Zorge Service Club Member of Year Award
1972- Peggy Treahy 1997 –Ron & Dorothy Hunt
1973 – Georgetown Volunteer Fire Dept. 1998 –May & Shell Lawr
1974 – Rev. Peter Barrow 1999- Paul C. Armstrong
1975 - Georgetown Volunteer Ambulance 2000- Barry & Sandra Timleck
Service
1976- Connie Nieuwhof 2001- Manley & Doreen Densmore
1977 –Walter H. Gray 2002- Martin Boomsma
1978- Irwin & Joy Noble 2003- Jenny Tuffin
1979 – Karen Harrison 2004- Tom Schenk
1980- Violet Haines 2005- Glenda Benton
1981- A.V. Ab Tennant 2006- Louise Brown
1982- Esme Ball 2007- Homecoming Committee 2007
1983- Ralph Ursel 2008- Dr. Jeff Sutherland
1984- W. “Steamer” Emerson 2009- Ernie Bodnar
1985- Jean Layman 2010- Dianne Penrice
1986- Georgetown Girls Pipeband 2011- Laurent Thibault
1987- Edward “Ted” Gorth 2012- Graeme Goebelle
1988- Thompson “Tom” Ramautarsingh 2013- Brenda Sisnett
1989- Jesse Hayes 2014- Fred Helson
1990- Siena Van Hoekelen 2015- Kay d’Entremont
1991- Lena Johnston 2016- Dave and Dale Cox
1992- A. “Sandy” Booth 2017- Gerry Kentner
1993- Lou Darcie 2018-Dee Dee Haynes-Ridley
1994- Russell Miller 2019-20 Marilyn Serjeanston
1995 –Lois Fraser 2021- Glen MacDonald
1996 –Trevor Williams 2022 Ken Thorne and Susan Tupling
2023 Paul Ivany
Pictures from the Awards Dinner March 25/25
Lorraine Hardie from GBB (L) recieives the Award from Mayor Lawlor
Newly elected MPP Joesph Racinsky presents the Provincal plaque to Romona Porter from GBB
Baldish Basrai from GBB receives the Chamber of Commerce Award from Karen McBride Vice Chair of the Chamber
Thank you to all our valued presenters.
The Lion Fred Zorge Service Club Member of the Year
The Georgetown Lions Club has since 1972 honoured a worthy volunteer by awarding the Annual Citizen of the Year Award. Over last 47 years the award has been given to individuals, couples or organizations that have made Georgetown a better community.
The format has remained consistent until 2019, Lions Club added a new award.. The Lions is the largest service club organization in the world with over 1.4 million members in over 200 countries we know the dedication that is required to be a good service club member.
Service clubs are unique in that the members join not only to undertake community service but also to form close bonds and friendships that endure for many years. Members may channel all their volunteerism through the service club the success of the projects undertaken benefit the community while the individual member may not get the recognition in the broader community as the whole club undertook the project. The Lions felt that the community should be able to honour and publicly acknowledge those service club members that give of their time and talents to the community accordingly a new award was established commencing in 2019 and will be combined with the Lion's Citizen to the Year Award Dinner.
The inaugural winner of the award in 2019 was Lion Fred Zorge
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Special thanks to our caterer Linda Armstrong
