SIDNEY — Community members are being asked to nominate candidates for the 16th annual Hearts of the Community Volunteer Awards.
Nominations close on Jan 30.
Jointly sponsored by the Peninsula News Review and local charity Beacon Community Services as a ‘thank you’ to local volunteers, the awards go to individuals and groups for exemplary Peninsula volunteer work. Past volunteers are also eligible.
Beacon Communtiy Services’ Board Chair Penny Thomsen noted a change to the 2014 award process.
“Traditionally, Hearts nominations were for specific award categories,” she said. “But the Peninsula benefits from amazing volunteerism outside those categories, too.
“So instead of looking at whether volunteer efforts fit a particular slot, we’ve opened this year’s nominations to all volunteers: individuals, groups or projects.”
All nominees will be honoured at a Feb. 25 community luncheon and ceremony at the Mary Winspear Centre. Up to six awards will also be presented at the public event — including a $1,000 scholarship for an outstanding youth volunteer. The scholarship is for exemplary volunteer service in a Peninsula school or community by a youth aged 14 to 19.
Nomination forms are online at www.beaconcs.ca or available at the Peninsula News Review office, the SHOAL Activity Centre, any Beacon Peninsula thrift shop or Beacon’s Sidney office at 9860 Third St.
Free tickets for the Feb. 25 awards ceremony — which features live entertainment by Stelly’s Secondary School performers and a complimentary luncheon — will be available at the same locations in early February.
— Beacon Community Services