20 community volunteers awarded 2025 Order of Hamilton

The City of Hamilton put the spotlight on community champions at the final New Year’s Levee today with Mayor Andrea Horwath honouring a group of Hamiltonians with the 2025 Order of Hamilton.

Hamiltonians gathered at the Sackville Hill Seniors Recreation Centre for something warmer than the weather — a celebration of community.

Twenty local volunteers received the 2025 Order of Hamilton this year from Mayor Andrea Horwath — honouring years of quiet, behind-the-scenes work that helps keep this city moving.

“The Order of Hamilton was established under former mayor Fred Eisenberger. Born out of a simple but powerful realization that in a city like Hamilton, there are countless compassionate, dedicated people quietly doing extraordinary things, often without any recognition, and often without any recognition being expected,” said Horwath.

The awards were presented during the Mayor’s New Year’s Levee — a tradition dating back hundreds of years built around community and goodwill.

The mayor’s office scheduled three New Year’s Levee dates and locations around the city. After a snowstorm cancelled one of those levees on Thursday, today’s event became the final chance to come together.

And for many in attendance, that made the moment even more meaningful.

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For those being honoured, the recognition isn’t why they do it — but it still matters.

“We aren’t looking for that to be — you know, to get something. But to be recognized for what you’ve done really makes me happy,” said Akbar Haidary, Order of Hamilton recipient.

“It is an honour, really it is. But without the honour you would do it too,” said Helena Streun, another recipient.

Streun, 95, the oldest of the 20 Order of Hamilton recipients this year, was nominated for her extensive volunteer work with the Cancer Assistance Program.

“I think that Helena represents what Hamilton is all about — about people giving back. She’s an excellent example, she mentors young people to be volunteers,” said Debbie Logel-Butler, Cancer Assistance Program executive director.

The Levee veered away from the usual moment to chat with the mayor and council with the importance of community volunteer work becoming this year’s focal point.

As the city turns the page on a new year, today’s celebration served as a reminder that Hamilton’s greatest asset is its people.

Since the creation of the award in 2019, 89 Hamiltonians have been awarded The Order of Hamilton.

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