Know an outstanding volunteer or young person who deserves recognition?
The City of Prince George is accepting nominations for the Volunteer Recognition Awards and Youth of the Year Award.
City council will present the annual awards in a gala Civic
Appreciation Dinner on April 28.
"I think we all know that volunteers are extremely important to our community," city recreation coordinator Cheryl Livingstone-Leman said.
"We all know those volunteers... who give so much of their time and talents to enrich other people's lives.
"This is an opportunity to thank those people."
There are four categories of awards: Community Service Awards, Recreation and Culture Awards of Merit, Outstanding Volunteer Award of Merit and Youth of the Year.
Community Service Awards are presented to volunteers who donate their time and energy to providing needed services in the community.
Winners were: Mary Beeksma, Bob D'Auray, Pat Flack, Theresa Loyer, Navpreet Sidhu, Matthew Church, Robin Fairservice, Joan Haack, Norm Schmitz and
Heather Spicer.
Recreation and Culture Awards of Merit are presented to volunteers who have contributed to cultural and recreational
opportunities in Prince George.
"These volunteers can be a in a range of areas," Livingstone-Leman said.
"They could be the person who floods the neighbourhood ice rink ... or runs a recreation program in a local school."
Last year's winners were Brian Bouchard, Ray Lougheed and Jeannette Paterson.
The Outstanding Volunteer Award of Merit recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond, volunteering for 15 years in a range of capacities in the community. The winners in 2011 were
Shirley Gratton and Patrick Pocha.
"For myself, I have had a chance to meet new people, challenge new goals in building a better city by working with dedicated people that volunteer," Gratton said. "Be a proud volunteer ... the best part is having fun."
Gratton said receiving the award was a humbling and memorable experience in her life.
Ashley Schmeisser was the 2011 Youth of the Year. Teens aged 13 to 18 years old, who excel in volunteering inside and outside of school, are eligible for the award.
Nomination forms are available online at
www.princegeorge.ca or by calling 250-561-7640. The deadline for nominations is March 5 at
4:30 p.m.
