PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its inaugural community awards program.
Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 17 for awards in six categories: Citizen of the Year, Educator of the Year, Young Leader of the Year, Business of the Year, Organization of the Year and Emerging Business of the Year.
The top three finalists and winners in each category will be honored during the inaugural Community Awards Gala, scheduled for Jan. 20 at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
“I’m so pleased to be able to announce this long overdue and much-needed program for the greater Port Angeles community,” said Jessica Hernandez, chamber board president.
“There are so many wonderful businesses and organizations here to be proud of, and so many amazing people doing extraordinary things. It’s time we recognize that and them.
“So every year, in the deepest part of winter, with its cold and rain and its short days and long nights, we plan to gather at a warm and magical gala to honor our local heroes who, during the previous year, have made the most positive impacts on behalf of Port Angeles.”
Nominations are open to the public and can be made online at www.tinyurl.com/pacommunity awards, by linking to the online form from the chamber’s website at www.PortAngles.org or by picking up forms from the Port Angeles Visitor Center, 121 E. Railroad Ave.
Anyone in the community can make nominations in all of the six categories. Chamber membership is not required to participate in the Port Angeles Annual Community Awards Program, and chamber board members will not be considered for any of the individual award categories.
A panel of judges from the community will select the three finalists in each category to be honored at the Community Awards Gala on Jan. 20.
The finalists will be announced in mid-December, and the winners in each category will be announced during the gala event.
Questions about the annual community awards program can be addressed to Hernandez at pafood bank@olypen.com or 360-452-2364.
