Volunteer

We believe that volunteers are one of the greatest strengths of a community and a key factor to our success.  Volunteers assist with a variety of town activities. By volunteering, you are making a positive impact in your community. Volunteering with the Town of Pelham provides an opportunity to gain experience, enhance or build skills and participate in the community.

Volunteer Program Overview

• Individuals will complete a Volunteer Expression of interest form.
• Form will be reviewed within 5 business days.
• Volunteer to be notified of any additional requirements, depending on the role.
• Volunteer to provide all required certifications or documentations and complete all mandatory training.
• Volunteer application to be approved (pending all requirements have been met).

Volunteer Expression of Interest Form 

Personal information contained on the application forms is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act to apply for the various volunteer positions with the Town of Pelham. Information is being collected and used to administer the volunteer position application process and to determine requirements for the role. 

There are many ways to get involved, for more information on any volunteer positions below please contact the recreation administrative assistant 905-732-7889. 

Community Outreach advisor

Special Event/Community Program Photographer

Senior VIP at the Meridian Community Centre

Seniors Program Facilitator

Community Clean Up member

Special Events Crew for:

• Canada Day
• Easter Eggstravaganza
• Summer Chill Series
• Pelham Summerfest
• Christmas Market

Join a committee

The Town of Pelham has a number of committees of council that help improve and shape the future of our community by providing advice and feedback on a variety of issues. View the full list of committees and their terms of reference by visiting our committees' page.

Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who serve the Pelham community.

In all more than 200 volunteers were honoured with certificates while 23 peer awards were given out. Those awards included a handmade pen made by woodturner Marv Ens featuring wood pruned from Pelham’s 400-plus year-old Comfort Maple.

Volunteers honoured on Wednesday included:

Frank Adamson, Pelham Active Transportation Committee
Eleanor Arbour, Fonthill Lionettes
Barbara Botden, Pelham Garden Club
Michael Cottenden, Pelham Finance and Audit Committee
Alison Cousineau, Pelham Minor Baseball Association
Len Doyle (2), Fonthill & District Kinsmen and Pelham Summerfest3
Anne Durst, Pelham Farmers Market Committee
Gregory Dyson, 613 Lincoln & Welland Reg. Air Cadets
Anthony Ferrera, Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee
Ann Harrison, Rotary Club of Fonthill
Bill King, Canada Day Volunteer Group (posthumously) Award accepted by his wife, Beverly Lovejoy
Kame and Kettle (accepted by Todd Barber) , Corporate Award
Lois LaCroix (2), Communities in Bloom and Pelham PATH
Liz LeMesurier, Niagara Centre Skating Club
Cam McClaren, 3rd Fonthill Scouting Group
Susan Mark, Pelham Cares
Jacqueline Schwenker, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 613
Anushka Shettigar, Pelham Summer Chill Series
Darren Vahrmeyer, “Fabulous” Fenwick Lions
Tammy Van Den Brink , Pelham Cultural Advisory Committee
Krystle Vanderzanden, North Pelham Youth Association
Yvonne Van Lankveld, Lincoln Pelham Public Library
Linda Warren, Pelham Art Festival

The Meridian Community Centre was filled with local volunteers who were recognized on November 22, 2023, at the annual Volunteer Appreciation event. 

The evening included a keynote presentation from Vicki Keith, who shared her stories about fundraising more than $1 million through marathon swims across the Great Lakes and other international waterways. Keith highlighted how volunteers create opportunities and experiences that enrich the lives of those around them.

"Without the passion and dedication of volunteers, the Town of Pelham would not be such a wonderful place to call home," said John Wink, Deputy Mayor and Master of Ceremonies for the event. "Volunteers are truly the element that creates a caring community in Pelham."

Over 140 individuals were recognized through nominations from service clubs, volunteer groups, sports organizations and committees. In addition, each organization submitted a Peer Award nomination for someone who has provided exceptional service in their volunteer role. As part of the award ceremony, Town of Pelham councillors spoke about each of the 19 peers and one corporate recognition nominee, sharing highlights of each volunteer's contributions. 

Peer award recipients received a unique handmade pen from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation that is crafted by local woodturner Marv Ens utilizing 100% pruned wood from the Comfort Maple. Recipients included Lynn Reynolds, Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee; Patrick O’Hara, Pelham Seniors Advisory Committee; Lynn Bowman, Niagara Centre Skating Club; Jim Jenter, Kinsmen Club of Fonthill & District; Nicole Birrell, Pelham Soccer Club; Evelynn Roberts, Pelham Lionettes; Heidi Tebrake, Pelham Art Festival; Jill Primeau, Pelham Summerfest Working Group; Tim Vanderweide, Fenwick Volunteer Firefighter Association; Melissa Wells, Pelham Minor Baseball Association; Paul Slattery, Fabulous Fenwick Lion’s Club; Jeanette Dempster, Pelham Horticultural Society; Brian Baty, Pelham Active Transportation Committee; Byron Sinclair, Pelham Minor Hockey Association; Kent Ratcliffe, 3^rd Fonthill Scouting Group; Barbara Sabucco, Pelham Senior VIP Program; Mike Jones, Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitats; Scott Kenyon, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613; Nancy Yungblut, Pelham Cares; and Sons & Daughters Winery who received the peer nominated Corporate recognition award.

There are also volunteer opportunities available with other organizations in Pelham. Please contact an organization below if you are interested in volunteering;

• 3rd Fonthill Scouting
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Community Support Services of Niagara
• Conservation Niagara Foundation
• District School Board of Niagara
• Fonthill Bandshell
• Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club
• Fonthill & District Kinsmen
• Fonthill Lions Club
• Niagara Centre Skating Club
• Niagara Regional Minor Football Association
• Niagara Wasps Rugby Club
• Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat (PATH) 
• Pelham Area Girl Guides
• Pelham Art Association
• Pelham Art Festival
• Pelham Cares
  
• Pelham EarlyON Centre
• Pelham Garden Club
• Pelham Library
• Pelham Minor Baseball Association
• Pelham Minor Hockey
• Pelham Panthers Basketball
• Pelham Panthers Junior Hockey Club
• Pelham Soccer Club
• PROBUS Club of Pelham
• Rotary Club of Fonthill
• Royal Canadian Legion, Talbot Trail Branch #613
• Search and Rescue Niagara
• Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre
• Welland Humane Society
• Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
• Welland Museum 

• Volunteer Canada provides helpful tools and guidelines for those interested in volunteering or managing volunteers.
• Professional Association of Volunteer Leaders - Ontario is the provincial resource for volunteer managers.
• Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada connects and empowers a network of volunteer management professionals and aims to elevate the quality of volunteerism in Canada.