Each year, the Gallery is invited to nominate volunteers for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards. These awards recognize volunteers for providing committed and dedicated service, and are awarded by the length of time someone has volunteered with one organization, ranging from five to 65 (!) years of continuous service.

While we love the opportunity to help the province recognize volunteers across Ontario, this is always a tough job for us, as there are so many of you we’d like to fete, (the Gallery would definitely benefit from a group category!) But our aim each year is to shine a spotlight on volunteers from across the program, who have contributed in special ways. Nominations come from your team of volunteer coordinators. This year, we are so pleased to celebrate these amazing folks, whose spirit and commitment are a credit to us all (in alphabetical order):

• Mona Azadmanesh, Volunteer Recruiter (10 year award)
• Adam Bovoletis, AGO Youth Council (youth award)
• Akber Mohamed, Information Guide (20 year award)
• Susan Morrison, Galley Guide (10 year award)
• Jane Smith, Prints & Drawings Volunteer (5 year award)
• Carole Warnock, Information Guide (5 year award)

Like all opportunities to gather in-person, this year’s celebration (an awards ceremony hosted by the Volunteer Recognition Unit of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries), has regrettably been postponed.

In lieu of this, we’ll be sharing volunteer profiles of our winners, all this week. First up, Mona Azadmanesh, Volunteer Recruiter.