The Town of Antigonish is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year awards, encouraging residents to recognize those who have made a significant impact in the community. The announcement was made on April 21, 2026, coinciding with National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 19 to April 25, 2026, under the theme of “Ignite Volunteerism.”
To be eligible for the Volunteer of the Year award, nominees must reside in the town, have contributed to volunteer efforts for at least two years, demonstrate strong leadership, and be willing to accept public recognition. For the Youth Volunteer of the Year award, nominees must also live in the town and be between the ages of 13 and 24 as of July 1, 2026, while having made significant contributions to the community.
Residents can submit their nominations through an online form. While the town website currently lists a deadline of May 6, 2025, it is expected that the intended deadline is May 6, 2026, given the timing of the current announcement.
Volunteerism remains a cornerstone of life in Nova Scotia, with more than 410,000 people across the province contributing roughly 79 million hours of service each year. Local recognition programs like these continue a long tradition of community involvement in the area, such as the efforts of residents like Jim Mulcahy, who earned a special mention in the 2024 Canada‘s Volunteer Awards for his work with local theatre and patient support.
