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Hearts of the Community awards celebrate Peninsula volunteers

Nominations open to recognize Saanich Peninsula volunteers who stand out
Staff Writer
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Students from Stelly’s secondary school perform at last year’s Hearts of the Community awards presentation. Nominations are now open for the 2012 awards.

On the Peninsula, the value of volunteerism has long been recognized. In fact, nominations are now being accepted for the Peninsula’s 14th annual Hearts of the Community Volunteer Award event.

Awards go to those who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism on the Saanich Peninsula, based on nominations from the community.

Co-sponsored by the Peninsula News Review and local charity Beacon Community Services, the Hearts of the Community event will honour individuals and groups of volunteers in six award categories: service to seniors; service to children and families; overall service to the community; community service/project by a group; lifetime service; and outstanding youth volunteer. The winner of the youth volunteer award also receives a $1,000 scholarship.

Residents and groups are eligible for volunteer work they do, or have done, on the Peninsula – the area north of Sayward Road. All nominees will be honoured at a Feb. 16 public ceremony and community luncheon.

Jim Parker, publisher of the Peninsula News Review, said volunteers are what make the Peninsula tick.

“The work of the Volunteer is essential to our communities,” he said. “Volunteers are on the frontlines of all our community services. We ask that you take the time to say thank you to these volunteers by nominating them in one of this year’s categories.”

Bob Cronin, chair of Beacon Community Services board, said he’d like to see a flood of nominations.

“If there’s a community need, a volunteer is probably working to meet it. If there’s a community event, it’s a fair bet that a volunteer is working to put it on,” he said. “We want to really celebrate those efforts at this event. So nominating someone for a Hearts of the Community Award is a great way to say thank you on behalf of the community.”

Nominations close Jan. 30. Nomination forms are available at www.beaconcs.ca, the Peninsula News Review office at 6-9843 Second St., any Beacon Community Services’ Peninsula thrift store, the SHOAL Activity Centre, or at Beacon’s office at 9860 Third St.

editor@peninsulanewsreview.com