Now is the time to nominate your local hero.
We are looking for people who make a difference in Clallam County — individuals who have made our communities a better place.
Soroptimist International of Port Angeles-Noon Club and the PDN invite readers to make nominations for the 2005 Clallam County Community Service Awards, created to recognize the dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments of local people who do extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.
This is the 25th year for this annual awards program, begun by the PDN and now co-sponsored by the Soroptimist noon club.
Past winners of Community Service Awards have organized community efforts to clean up waterways, served as literacy tutors, raised money for disabled people, protected animals, organized food programs for the hungry and aided crime victims and their families.
Others have created a playground for special needs children, started a youth sailing class, founded a cancer survivor support group, volunteered in health and education programs on local Indian reservations and were instrumental in the creation of teen activity centers.
How to nominate
* Nominations should be made using the accompanying coupon and must be returned to the Peninsula Daily News by not later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17.
* A letter describing the merits and accomplishments of the person being nominated should be submitted with the coupon.
* If possible, the nomination should include supporting documents, such as copies (not originals) of other awards, newspaper articles or letters of support.
* Anyone who lives in Clallam Couty can be nominated. Those previously nominated, but not selected, for a Community Service Award are eligible for renomination.
A panel of judges will review the nominations and select one to six persons to receive a Community Service Award at a luncheon on Friday, March 25.
Questions? Please contact John Brewer, editor and publisher of the PDN, at 360-417-3500.
2004 awardees
Last year judges selected five people from more than 40 nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.
Receiving 2004 Community Service Awards were:
* John and Lelah Singhose, longtime Joyce-area community leaders, active in Crescent Grange No. 1123, Joyce Daze festival, Crescent School, Clallam County Fair and state Highway 112 clean-up efforts.
* June Robinson of Sequim for her work with the Clallam County Historical Society (four terms as president), Clallam County Heritage Advisory Board, Sequim School Board, Clallam County and Sequim museums; author of several books, pamphlets and the monthly “Back When”‘ column in the Peninsula Daily News.
* Roger Oakes, M.D., well-known community-minded physician active in United Way fund-raising, Hurricane Ridge Ski Team, Hurricane Ridge Public Development Authority and several Olympic Medical Center committees, including the Quality Task Force of the Transforming Health Care in Clallam County.
* Cheryl Bauman, executive director of Clallam County Pro Bono Lawyers, a nonprofit agency that assists low-income people with civil legal matters.
Seven letters were received nominating Bauman, including a joint letter from Ken Williams and George L. Wood, the county’s two Superior Court judges.
Other past recipients of the award:
2003: Cody Sandell, John and Anne-Marie Summers, Dr. Edward Hopfner and Patty Hannah.
2002: Denise Brennan, John Pope, John Reed and Cynthia Martin
2001-2000: Phil and Deborah Morgan-Ellis, Sharon Fox, Kristin Prater Glenn, Cal Mogck, Manuela Velasquez.
1999: Bill Fatherston, Dorothy Skerbeck, S. Brooke Taylor.
1998: George Woodriff, Earl Gilson, Stu Smith, Tom McCabe.
1997-96: Dave Robinson, Dennis Duncan, Jo Davies, Art Judd, Alberta Thompson.
1995: Mac Ruddell, Bonnie and Larry Hurd, Joyce McDaniel, Pat Soderlind and Harry Jackson.
1994: Steve Tharinger, Cindy Souders, Ray Gruver and Betty and Frank Wilkerson.
1993: Jessica Schreiber, Jim Jones, Betty Soderlind, and Al Charles Jr.
1992: Helen Dawley, Lew Bartholmew, Chuck Maiden and Arlene Engel.
1991: Ginger Haberman, Tom Santos, Adabelle Square, Bob and Lois Blake and Lucile Levien.
From 1980 to 1990, one Clallam County Citizen of the Year was named.
Winners were Gay Knutson, 1990; Joe Hawe, 1989; Sue Shane, 1988; Eloise Kailin, 1987; Maureen Williams, 1986; Leonard Beil, 1985; Barbara Kelso, 1984; Dorothy Hegg, 1983; Phyllis Hopfner, 1982; John Brady, 1981; Art Feiro, 1980.