Each year the Port Colborne Optmist Club recognizes people within the community that stand out as examples of community spirit, by their involvement and commitment. At an event held at our club house the award winners are given a meal before the presentations. Each award winner takes home a plaque to remember that, sometimes, doing good things brings unsolicited thanks and recognition.
Our awards take two forms, which we combine at a single event:
Youth Appreciation
This award is given each year to students nominated by local elementary schools. Students that use their energies and spare time to truly do some special things. These students are shining examples of what can be accomplished where effort is put in. These award winners will become leaders. They would make ideal JOI club members. And from there, maybe, future Optimists.
Respect For Law
This global Optimist International award is given annually by over 1,500 Optimist Clubs, with over a 1/4 milion awards over 50 years. Each club selects people or organizations within their local communities that demonstrate unswerving commitment that earned our own Respect For Law. They are beacons and examples for our community and youth to follow. Thank you for your service.
Youth Appreciation
Our mandate is to serve the youth in our community, enabling them to grow and succeed, and become good citizens and members of society. The Port Colborne Youth Appreciation Program is geared towards local youth to award and honour deserving students who are involved in their school and community.
This award was renamed in honour of a long-time dedicated club member, Graham Priest. This program, the Graham Priest Youth Appreciation Award, was close to his heart.
The PCOC liaises with leadership at our community elementary schools. They know their students, and select the candidates they think most deserving for our awards. In 2026, four were selected as winners. We congratulate them, celebrate their achievements, and thank them. We can only imagine the heights they will rise to as they grow. These students and their fellows are our future.
In purely first name alphabetical order, our four winners in 2026 are…
Alice Laroche
Alice, grade 8, volunteers at The Ass Menagerie animal Sanctuary in Wainfleet every week. She started her own business: Rock Leaf Harvest (microgreens) after her successful science fair project. Alice is a student at École Élémentaire Catholique Saint Joseph, Port Colborne.
She serves as School Prime Minister and is involved with both the Embers and Pathfinders youth organizations. Alice is rightly proud of her french heritage and is a high performing student.
Avery Cooper
Avery, grade 6, is an active member of school student council, serves as a PALS leader, is on the Healthy Heroes team, helps with kindergarten lunches, and is an active JOI member helping guide our newest members. Her mother, Morgan, is herself a PC Optimist and leader of the JOI.
In her spare time outside school she enjoys horse riding, playing bocce, and singing. She also sells eggs on the family farm, and occasionally sleeps.
Olivia Roberts
Olivia, grade 7, takes part in Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field, and Rugby.
As well as being a keen and talented sports athlete, Olivia also helps out around the school in the Eco Club, and works with little learners as a peer mentor. She is on the Port Colborne Wave hockey team and volunteers to help other teams.
She also volunteers at Oakwood by staying after school to help with fundraisers, is a score keeper at after school volleyball games, and also attends DSBN tournaments as a volunteer score keeper.
Zoey Sibbald
Zoey, Grade 8, is involved in many activities, at school and outside it.
At school, she is involved with all sports, and is a kindergarten buddy, a school senate representative, helps with book buddy, peer support, and morning announcements. Zoey is also part of the school communications team, responsible for changing the outdoor school sign to keep the school community informed.
Outside of school Zoey is part of the PC Youth Soccer Club
Zoey is also an active JOI member
Respect For Law
Respect For Law is one of the signature programs of Optimist International, an organization with over 1,600 clubs in more than 20 countries. With +39,000 members worldwide our members around the world recognize the need for strong, safe, community guardians. Respect For Law celebrates individuals and groups dedicated to their communities, and the protection of it’s citizens.
Our 2026 award winner is a volunteer organization that since their formation in 1988 has saved countless lives on Lake Erie.
POCOMAR, the Port Colborne Marine Auxilliary, is comprised of teams from all wallks of life that are prepared to drop everything when an emergency call comes in. These dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to keep our waters safe. They train several times per week. They are on call. When their phones ring they run, no matter the time of day or night. A despatcher coordinates the volunteers and involved organizations letting everyone know where to go and what the emergency is, as well as what equipment they will need.
POCOMAR liaises with the coast guard to provide the most timely and appropriate coordinated response teams, wherever they are needed within their area of operations which stretches from Fort Erie to Dunnville, out as far as the lake border with the US.
The POCOMAR has state of the art equipment, including satellite communications, radar, and night vision. Their infrared detectors can locate people floating in eight foot waves in pitch black. The average maintenance cost for all this is around $80,000 per year. The funds needed are raised by various events run in the community by POCOMAR. This technology and the teams that use it have over the years helped this dynamic organization save countless lives. And they are all volunteers. Heading out without hesitation in hail and storm and ice, frequently risking their own lives to help others.
Accepting the award on behalf of POCOMAR, Commander Norm Dashwood gave a presentation which gave insights into the history, current operations, and future of POCOMAR. Which drilled home the fact that some of the volunteers have been with POCOMAR for over twenty years. Beyond the personal commitments to constant training and on call availability, a deeper commitment became apparent. This is a vocation. These people save lives. And that matters. The PCOC truly thanks everyone in this very respected organization for doing what they do, and doing it so well. Thank you all for your service.
Representing POCOMAR to receive the Respect For Law award, from left to right:
Executive Officer Jamie Fraser, Operations Officer Hayden Gibson, Publice Relations Officer Stephanie Mazza, Commander Norm Dashwood.
Event Photos
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