More than 250 people gathered at Port Coquitlam's Riverside Secondary Tuesday night to pay tribute to those who make the community tick.

The city's annual Volunteer Recognition Awards event took place Tuesday under the banner of "Volunteers: The Stars of our Community."

Held during National Volunteer Week, the Volunteer Recognition Awards were launched in 1997 to recognize and encourage the community's volunteers.

This year, 25 volunteers were nominated in seven categories, including: Lifetime Volunteer; Arts, Heritage and Cultural Awareness; Caring and Safety; Environmental Protection and Enhancement; Sports and Recreation; Youth Programs and Youth Under 21.

"We like to think of Port Coquitlam as a happy, vibrant community, and much of the credit for that goes to our volunteers," said Mayor Greg Moore, who emceed the event, in a press release. "We know from our survey last year that 40 per cent of our residents volunteer in the community. I think that really distinguishes us from other cities."

Bob Buchan won the Lifetime Volunteer Award based on his 27 years worth of giving back. Buchan spent time volunteering with the Port Coquitlam Amateur Athletic Association and Port Coquitlam Minor Softball.

A director with the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society, Brian Hubbard took home the Arts, Heritage and Cultural Awareness award based on the many tasks he undertakes for the society: writing grant applications, volunteering at the Heritage Display Centre, attending events, and helping run the community archives.

Riverside Fly & Tackle owner Garry Elgear got the nod in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement category thanks to his yearly Coquitlam River cleanup initiative and his work to educate young people about fishing and the environment.

Corry Moffat received the caring and safety volunteer award for her involvement with the organizations such as the Terry Fox Foundation and the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

On top of her work with those organizations, Moffat has also donated her time at local churches, hospitals and health units.

According to a press release, the caring and safety award goes to those who enhance and promote the community through “caring actions and outstanding acts of humanitarianism.”

Fred Lachlan received the Sports and Recreation award based on his more than 10 years worth of volunteering with Port Coquitlam Minor Lacrosse, while Margaret Mahovlich got the nod for the Youth Programs award.

Mahovlich began volunteering in 1977 as a coach for youth bowlers in Port Coquitlam and continued her charitable ways with the Air Cadet League.

Fourteen-year-old Cathleen Redman nabbed the Under-21 award based on the 400-plus volunteer hours she's logged with a variety of children's programs and camps at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.