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Celebrating the people, workplaces, and organizations creating stability in our community.

The United Way Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honouring those who go above and beyond to strengthen Waterloo Region. These are the people and teams who understand that stability — access to food, housing, mental health support, and opportunity — doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because people choose to care, collaborate, and lead.

In a time when many neighbours are struggling to stay afloat, these leaders remind us that collective action creates real change. Join us as we celebrate their impact and the shared commitment that makes stability possible for thousands of local families.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday April 16th

2026

5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

5:00 PM: Cocktail Hour | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Tapestry Hall

74 Grand Ave S, Cambridge, ON N1S 2L9

Early Bird Price

Individual Ticket – $125 | Table of 8 – $1,000 (Available until March 30)

Event Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Spirit Awards Categories

Spirit of Community Award

The Spirit of Community Award honours an individual, group, or organization that personifies exceptional community spirit, teamwork, and generosity through their significant partnership with United Way, thereby deepening our community-building partnerships.

Nominees

Erin Moraghan
Kristen Deckert
Alicia Cunningham & Jennifer Nenadovich
Enbridge Gas
Women United Committee
Olivia Kalbfleisch

The Community Impact Award

The Community Impact Award is presented to a funded partner who, through their collaborative efforts with United Way, demonstrates outstanding leadership and dedication while continuing to drive change and impact in the community.

Nominees

Cambridge Food Bank
Child Witness Centre
Immigration Partnership
oneROOF Youth Services
Rhythm & Blues Cambridge
Social Development Centre

The Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the incredible individuals and groups whose selfless dedication and outstanding volunteer service make a real difference in our community. These are the people who go above and beyond every day, inspiring us all with their generosity, commitment, and heart.

Nominees

John Jorgensen
Stephanie Scandrett
Elena DiBattista
Clarion Medical Technologies
David Farhood

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award

(Small - Mid-Size)

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award (Small – Mid-Size) recognizes the Employee Campaign Manager and workplace that have demonstrated exceptional dedication in engaging and informing employees, while also increasing donations in a smaller workplace setting, defined as having 200 or less local employees. 

Nominees

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
Gowling WLG
EY
Wawanesa
Gorbel Canada

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award

(Large)

The Outstanding Workplace Campaign Award (Large) recognizes the Employee Campaign Manager and workplace that have demonstrated exceptional dedication in engaging and informing employees, while also increasing donations in a large workplace setting, defined as having 200 or more local employees. 

Nominees

Equitable
TD
Scotiabank
TMMC
Reliance Home Comfort

 

The Ken Seiling Community Leader Award

The Ken Seiling Community Leader Award recognizes exemplary public leaders who, through extraordinary contributions and outstanding commitment, has driven the spirit of community through personal involvement in community and with United Way Waterloo Region Communities.

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Sponsorship opportunities

The Spirit Awards is our annual Spring Celebration, where we close out the campaign season by honouring outstanding community members, workplaces, and individuals for their remarkable support.

This dinner and awards ceremony brings together local champions who drive meaningful change, offering an inspiring evening of recognition, connection, and community pride.

By supporting the Spirit Awards, sponsors invest in the people and partnerships that help create stability across Waterloo Region — strengthening the community we all share.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Hendrickson,
Sponsorship & Events Lead
lhendrickson@uwaywrc.ca| 519-888-6100 ext 216

Video by Onward Media Group