Posted by: Alyson van Beinum
OSCA COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD
The summer that we moved to this neighbourhood, my husband and I were invited to the Brighton Beach Clambake for the first time. The notice was hand delivered by a volunteer with a warm and friendly smile. “Everyone brings something” she explained, “and if you want to help out …. I know they always need help with the corn!” Before you knew it, there we were, boiling and transporting corn to the park, and at the same time, meeting new neighbours and feeling more connected in our new home in Old Ottawa South.
Since that first summer, I have come to appreciate how this community buzzes with active volunteers all year long. Volunteers deliver the OSCAR, they set up (and take down) for events like Fall Fest and put up signs for the Porch Sale. There are people who create posters for community events, people who tend gardens and streetscapes, others who shovel and flood the rink at Windsor Park. There are those who serve the hungry in places of worship and others who share their skills and knowledge at the Sunnyside Library. I can’t list all the ways that volunteers are active at the Firehall and ‘between the bridges,’ but I can say that there is a positive energy that all of these acts bring to this community. Volunteering makes our neighbourhood more resilient, fosters inclusivity and creates a shared sense of purpose.
As an OSCA Board member for the past three years I have been amazed to discover how many residents have given their time to plan events, advocate for change, and to support their neighbors in need during the many years since the neighbourhood organization was first founded. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of these fine people, many of whom continue to volunteer in some capacity throughout the community. The time and effort of community volunteers has helped to shape our neighborhood by connecting people, bridging gaps and encouraging civic participation.
April is volunteer month, and April 19 – 25, 2026, is National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate the ways in which Canadians have ignited volunteerism in their communities. It is also a time for OSCA to recognize the folks in our neighborhood who have made a significant contribution to building a better community through their dedicated efforts. We invite nominations for the OSCA Community Builder Award for 2026, which recognizes individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to building a better community. This month, nominate someone you know whose time and effort have helped make Old Ottawa South a better place to live, so that they can be recognized and celebrated for their work. Nominations can be submitted through the OSCA ‘Community Builder Award’ page at oldottawasouth.ca/community-builder-awards/ until April 30. The award will be presented in June at the OSCA Annual General Meeting.
I feel very fortunate to live in a community where people care about each other and their community. The positive energy of Old Ottawa South is due in part to the work of volunteers. If you haven’t already volunteered in some capacity in our neighbourhood, consider getting involved. Go to oldottawasouth.ca and click on ‘Contact’ and tell us how you might be interested in volunteering in the community. This could be your time to shine.
Alyson van Beinum is an OSCA Board member and resident of OOS since 2022.
Featured in the April 2026 OSCAR.