Project STAR recognized five Salt Spring residents as community champions during a town hall meeting at the Salt Spring New Testament Church. Travis Cooke, Oraine Lawson, Barbara Beadle, Ann Marie Douglas, and Sherri-Kay Morris were honored for their volunteerism, leadership, and community development efforts. Beadle, a volunteer and CDC officer, was praised for her support of the initiative. She expressed gratitude, noting her involvement with Project STAR since 2024 and her assistance in connecting with residents. Douglas was recognized for her community mobilization efforts. Morris, the CDC's chief public relations officer, was lauded for her communication efforts. Cooke was acknowledged for his youth development work with the Kicking Forward Football Programme. Lawson, a beneficiary of the nano-grants initiative, was commended for expanding his business and encouraging fellow entrepreneurs. Saffrey Brown, project director at Project STAR, praised the awardees for their service and leadership.