Nominations are being accepted now for the 37th annual Clallam County Community Service Award.
Now is the time to nominate your local hero — those people who make a difference in Clallam County, individuals who have made our communities a better place.
Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Noon Club and the Peninsula Daily News invite nominations by 5 p.m. Friday, March 3.
The award recognizes the dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments of local people who do extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.
Past recipients of the Community Service Award have organized community efforts to clean up waterways, served as literacy tutors, raised money for the disabled, protected animals, organized food programs for the hungry, aided crime victims and their families, founded a cancer survivor support group, built a playground for special-needs children and were instrumental in the creation of teen activity centers.
“Each year, the award recipients are recognized for their positive impact on this wonderful community they call home,” said Terry Ward, PDN publisher. “Our hope for these awards is to draw attention to their contributions in making Clallam County better and in the process, hopefully, inspire a new generation of community volunteers.”
How to nominate
Nominations must be made using the accompanying coupon as well as a letter describing the merits and accomplishments of the person being nominated.
The nomination should include supporting documents, such as copies (not originals) of other awards, newspaper articles or letters of support.
Anyone who lives in Clallam County can be nominated. Recipients of the Community Service Award in the past are not eligible for a 2017 award.
But those previously nominated but not selected for a Community Service Award are eligible for renomination.
What happens
A panel of judges will review the nominations and select one to seven people to receive a Community Service Award at an evening reception in Port Angeles on April 27.
If you have any questions about the program, please phone Ward at his direct number, 360-417-3500 (if he’s not in, leave a voice mail).
Or email Ward at tward@peninsuladailynews.com.
2016 honorees
• Rita Berson, the tireless and innovative manager of the Friends of Port Angeles Library Bookstore, who revved up both interest and revenue to fund creative programming at the library.
• Cheryl Bowers, president and founder of the nonprofit New Leash on Life, who trains service dogs for veterans and others with disabilities.
• Angela Gooding, an accomplished teacher and founder of Port Angeles Citizens Network, dedicated to finding solutions for drug addiction and is working to create safe and healthy activities for teens.
• D. Mike Phillips who contributed community service for 50 years, serving in Rotary, United Good Neighbors — a predecessor of United Way — with the YMCA and, most recently, as a church dinner chef and a delivery person for Meals on Wheels.
• Dr. Gene Turner and Norma Turner, a couple who donate their time to a plethora of good causes, including Norma’s tenure on the League of Women Voters, the Charter Review Committee and Prevention Works! and Gene’s work in the schools, with Habitat for Humanity and in his garden, the source of truckloads of donated produce each year.
