Alberta Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program launches for 2012

Direct Energy and the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA) invite Albertans to help recognize the province’s tremendous volunteer spirit with the eighth annual Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted and will close March 16,.

According to Volunteer Canada, there are 12.5 million volunteers making a difference in others’ lives across the country. In Alberta alone, one in three people volunteer. The Alberta Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program is designed to recognize some of the most outstanding work of those individuals whose contributions make their communities a better place to live.

“It is no secret that Albertans take great pride in their remarkable volunteerism, and the volunteers we’ve met and recognized over the years through this program are a true inspiration,” says Tanis Kozak, vice-president and general manager for Direct Energy in Canada. “We all know someone whose work makes their community a better place to live, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize some of those amazing contributions.”

The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is an extension of Direct Energy’s Community Investment philosophy that encourages employees to volunteer their time and energy to causes or organizations in their local communities.

The award itself consists of:

• $1,000 cash prize to the winner;

• $5,000 cash grant to the winner’s organization/cause of choice in their respective community;

• recognition of the winner’s achievement through a commemorative award, article and photo to be published in AWNA newspapers across Alberta;

• $1,000 cash grant to four semi-finalists’ organization/cause of choice in their respective communities; and

• special recognition of the four semi-finalists.

Last year’s winner, Irma “Granny” Gray, chose Tennille’s Hope Kommunity Kitchen, as the beneficiary of a $5,000 donation in her name. Gray is the mother of seven children, eighteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

She was recognized for her work with Tenille’s Hope and a long list of other community organizations.

“We’re looking forward to once again recognizing individuals who work hard to make our communities great places to live,” said AWNA president Ossie Sheddy. “The selfless actions of past winners like Irma “Granny” Gray often go unrewarded. This program is designed to showcase appreciation for their efforts. I invite AWNA member newspaper publishers and editors and community leaders to nominate their outstanding volunteers. The direct in the community Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is a great opportunity to recognize invaluable volunteers and to benefit your community.”

The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is open to residents within a community served by an AWNA member newspaper. Applicants can either self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or group. Nominations should be no longer than 750 words in length and detail the specific contribution the individual or group has made to the local community through improving the quality of life for fellow citizens. The nominations also need to profile the designated organization and how that organization would use the $5,000 donation.

Nominations must be submitted to the AWNA by March 16. A selection committee, formed of two representatives from the AWNA and two appointed by Direct Energy, will review award applications and select the finalists and winning individual or group.

Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award rules and details can be found online at www.awna.com or www.directenergy.com/vcoy, or can be picked up at AWNA member newspaper offices.