Prince George residents have been given more time to reward those special people in the community who get things done.
The Prince George Community Foundation has extended the deadline for nominations for the 2013 Citizen of the Year to the middle of August.
"This year by the time our deadline passed, we simply did not have enough people nominated to close the nominations," nominating committee chairwoman Teresa Saunders told the crowd gathered Monday for Canada Day celebrations at Fort George Park.
Rather than announce this year's shortlist, Saunders challenged those in attendance to come up with ideas for nominees.
"It is so important that we acknowledge the work that is done in our community, but it is also very important that you take the time to put together a nomination package for someone you know who is a giver in our community," she said.
Current Citizen of the Year Monica Peacock said the award isn't limited to people who are constantly in the media for their volunteer work. She encouraged people to nominate those in the community who are working hard behind the scenes and inspiring others to do the same.
"I believe that people need to see the little things that are done by everyday people who give to their soccer club or gives to their charity or who comes out to the park and helps out with an event like [Celebrate Canada]," she said. "There has to be someone out there who you know who has inspired others to do as they do, talk as they talk and walk as they walk in the volunteering community."
Peacock said there are many people who give their all to a number of different causes and who deserve to be nominated for the award and she feels honoured to have been recognized last fall.
"There are many people that give of their heart and soul in this community and it's just been a real pleasure to be known as the Citizen of the Year," she said.
With the mid-August deadline for nominations, the shortlist is now expected to be announced in early September. The Citizen of the Year will be announced on Oct. 18 at a gala event at the Coast Inn of the North.
Full details on how to nominate someone for the prestigious honour are available at the foundation's office or online at www.pgcf.ca
