City of Hamilton celebrates 30 years of Senior of the Year Awards

Photographed above, Councillor Tom Jackson joins Mayor Andrea Horwath in presenting Ward 6 resident, Kiran Gupta, with the Innovation Award.

Kiran has dedicated more than 30 years to building community, celebrating culture, and promoting senior wellness in Hamilton. At the Hindu Samaj Temple, she has served as President and Board member, leading programs in dance, yoga, meditation, music, and children’s education. She also spearheaded major cultural events, including Diwali at City Hall and Canada’s 150th multicultural celebration, bringing diverse communities together.

After the pandemic, Kiran founded the Hindu Samaj Seniors Wellness Club, growing it from 10 to over 150 members. Her innovative programs -- ranging from laughing yoga and Geras Dance (McMaster University’s GERAS Centre for Aging Research) to Tai Chi, social games, and cultural outing -- have kept seniors active, engaged, and connected. She has also partnered with McMaster researchers to highlight seniors’ wellness programs across Ontario.

The Other seniors that were honoured include:

2025 Senior of the Year -- Dr. Margaret Denton

For two decades, Margaret has been the visionary force behind Hamilton’s transformation into one of Ontario’s most respected Age-Friendly Communities. A gerontologist and advocate, she co-founded the Hamilton Council on Aging (HCoA) in 2005, helping build it into a strong, independent voice for older adults.

Margaret introduced the World Health Organization’s Age-Friendly Cities framework to Hamilton, making it the first city in Ontario to adopt this model. From 2007 to 2022, she led four major Age-Friendly Community Plans, each shaped by the voices of thousands of older adults. These plans brought lasting improvements in transportation, housing, accessibility, social participation, and inclusion.

Her leadership extends beyond Hamilton. As co-founder of the Southern Ontario Age-Friendly Network and a longtime board member of the Ontario Association of Councils on Aging, she has mentored communities across Ontario in building more inclusive, supportive environments for seniors.

Margaret also spearheaded initiatives such as Let’s Get Moving, which promoted safe, active transportation for older adults, and Portraits of Aging, which challenged ageism and celebrated seniors’ contributions. Through her work with HCoA’s Education and Advocacy Committee, she continues to raise awareness by coordinating monthly editorials in The Hamilton Spectator.

Adris Dixon - Diversity & Cultural Award

Adris’s efforts have strengthened countless organizations and enriched the lives of many seniors in Hamilton. Over the past decade, she has given her time and talents to the Ancaster Senior Achievement Centre (ASAC), the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, Ancaster Community Services, and several other community groups.

At ASAC, Adris serves on the Advisory Board and Communications Committee, helping to guide governance, organize events, and keep members connected. As Chair of the Seniors Committee with the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, she has secured vital grants, created educational programs, and built opportunities for seniors to learn, socialize, and thrive. Her leadership has also extended to Meals on Wheels, where she ensured vulnerable residents received not just food, but care and compassion.

The impact of Adris’s efforts extends beyond local programs as her grant writing has provided funding for essential services, her outreach has built bridges across communities, and her dedication has supported initiatives from technology training to intergenerational projects.

Susan Ford Ricketts - Behind the Scenes Award

Susan has dedicated more than 40 years to enriching Hamilton and Dundas through music, culture, and community service. A past President of the Women’s Canadian Club of Hamilton, she introduced the Woman of Spirit Award to celebrate and honour women’s achievements. With the Duet Club of Hamilton and Hamilton Music Festival, Susan has organized concerts, scholarships, and youth competitions that showcase emerging talent and inspire audiences.

Beyond music, Susan has been a cornerstone of St. James Church for over 40 years, a longtime supporter of the Carnegie Gallery, and an active volunteer with numerous arts, cultural, and community organizations. A dedicated organizer, performer, and artist, Susan’s volunteer contributions have touched countless lives and strengthened the cultural fabric of her community.

Janet Kulmatycki - Compassion & Companionship Award

For more than 40 years, Janet has brought warmth, compassion, and quiet strength to her community. Janet has made a lasting impact through her dedication to both the Cancer Assistance Program (CAP) and St. Ann’s Parish in Ancaster. At CAP, Janet is a trusted client services volunteer, guiding individuals through registration, fittings, and support with dignity and care. Her natural empathy and gentle humour comfort clients and inspire youth volunteers, who look to her as a mentor and role model.

At St. Ann’s, Janet has shared her gifts through the Prayer Shawl Ministry, creating handmade shawls and blankets that bring comfort in times of illness, grief, or celebration. She has also served faithfully behind the scenes, including preparing funeral luncheons and helping with weekly church offerings.

Carol Mayner - Lifetime Achievement Award

For more than five decades, Carol has been a dedicated volunteer whose kindness, energy, and community spirit have enriched the lives of Hamilton residents, especially seniors. A proud resident of Mount Hope for 53 years, Carol has devoted her time to Glanbrook Community Services since 1998, serving as a board member, event coordinator, and long-time volunteer for cherished community events such as the Spring Fling, Christmas Tours, and the annual Golf Tournament.

Her volunteer journey began in the 1970s as a Block Parent, offering children a safe haven, and later as a school lunchroom supervisor, where she brought calm and care to countless students. Over the years, she extended her service to the Glanbrook Figure Skating Club, Binbrook United Church, and the Binbrook Agricultural Society, supporting both seniors and families through programs that foster belonging and joy.

Helen Metz - Leadership Award

For more than three decades, Helen has enriched the Hamilton community through her professional work as a mental health counsellor and her extraordinary dedication to volunteerism. A long-time advocate for social justice, she has dedicated over 30 years to Na’amat Canada, supporting women, children, and families in crisis, and helping to raise awareness and funds for human rights and equality.

Helen’s volunteer spirit extends widely across the community. At the Hamilton Jewish Federation, she lends her keen eye to proofread communications and greets community members at the front desk. At Shalom Village, she serves monthly senior brunches, assisting and uplifting residents with warmth and care. Through the Kehila Jewish Egalitarian Day School, she provides counselling to young children, sits on committees, and supports fundraising efforts. She also participates weekly in the Friendly Calling program, offering comfort and companionship to isolated seniors.

Mike Moore - Healthy & Active Living Award

Mike has dedicated more than 30 years to creating inclusive opportunities for children, youth, and adults with disabilities in Hamilton. As the founder and long-time leader of the Hamilton Challenger Baseball Association -- now the Hamilton Challenger Sports Association (HCSA) -- Mike transformed a small group of players into one of the largest and longest-running Challenger leagues in Canada. Today, HCSA engages over 220 athletes and 70 volunteers, offering year-round programming, community events, and a place where every individual feels valued and celebrated.

Guided by his experience as the father of a child with cerebral palsy, Mike built an organization that has become a lifeline for families. Under his leadership, HCSA expanded into new sports, launched winter programs, and created social traditions that foster lifelong friendships. He also spearheaded major accessibility projects at Inch Park, including a walking path, facility upgrades, and a $135,000 pledge toward a state-of-the-art inclusive playground.

Mike’s service extends globally, with volunteer work in Haiti, Congo, China, and India, and locally with various organizations including the Hamilton Accessible Sports Council. His leadership has earned him numerous honours, including the Order of Hamilton, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and recognition from the Jays Care Foundation.

Phyllis Way - Economic Leadership Award

Phyllis has devoted her life to giving back to Hamilton through compassion, leadership, and steadfast volunteerism. For nearly two decades, she has organized the CamWay Memorial Golf Tournament in honour of her late husband, raising more than $22,000 for the Cancer Assistance Program (CAP). This beloved event not only funds essential services but also brings the community together in generosity and remembrance.

Beyond her fundraising, Phyllis is a weekly Client Services Volunteer at CAP, greeting clients with warmth and humour while assisting with wigs, prosthetics, and supplies. Her contagious laughter and genuine kindness help put families at ease during difficult times. She also supports CAP’s annual CARE Walk, Spring Fling, and Gala, further strengthening its mission.

Phyllis’s spirit of service stretches back decades: as a Eucharistic Minister delivering communion to hospital patients, a volunteer in the Missions Coop Office of the Hamilton Catholic Diocese, a Tele-Health wellness caller, and even as a candy striper in her youth.