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 Peninsula Daily News invite nominations for the 2012 Clallam County Community Service Award.
The award recognizes the dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments of local people who do extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.
This is the 33rd year for the award, begun by the PDN and now co-sponsored by the Soroptimist noon club.
Past recipients of the Community Service Award have organized community efforts to clean up waterways, served as literacy tutors, raised money for the disabled, protected animals, organized food programs for the hungry, aided crime victims and their families, founded a cancer survivor support group, built a playground for special-needs children and were instrumental in the creation of teen activity centers.
The award recipients merit both honor and imitation, said John Brewer, PDN publisher and editor.
“They are role models for all of us, not only because they’ve aspired and dreamed, but because our local heroes’ achievements are within our own reach,” Brewer said.
“They show us that all of us can be part of something greater than ourselves.”
■ Nominations should be made using the accompanying coupon and must be returned to the PDN by 5 p.m. today, March 5.
■ 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 County can be nominated.
Recipients of the Community Service Award in the past are not eligible for a 2012 award.
But 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 seven people to receive a Community Service Award at an evening reception in Port Angeles in late April.
Questions?
Please phone Brewer at 360-417-3500. Or email him at john.brewer@peninsuladailynews.com.
2011 honorees
Last year, judges selected seven recipients from nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.
Receiving the 2011 award were:
■ Ron Allen, tribal chairman (1977-present) and CEO (1982-present) of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe — an impressive community and business visionary with a national reputation.
■ Jaye Moore, selfless director of the Northwest Raptor & Wildlife Center, a nonprofit, state and federally licensed facility in Sequim that rescues and rehabilitates injured wildlife and releases the animals back into the wild.
■ Dewey Ehling, Clallam County’s “music man,” whose efforts stretch from the Port Angeles Symphony to the Peninsula Singers to Sequim Community Aid.
■ Colleen and Ray Divacky, longtime community activists who have contributed energy, hard work and leadership in Joyce and for the Crescent School District.
■ Alan Barnard, whose volunteer activities stretch from chairing public safety advisory committees and spearheading 9/11 memorials to coordinating anti-litter campaigns and promoting local aviation.
■ Stephen Rosales, tireless volunteer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula (Sequim and Port Angeles), Sequim Food Bank, Sequim schools and Little League.
Other past Community Service Award honorees:
■ 2010 — Sue Nattinger and Coleman Byrnes (joint recipients), Dan Wilder Sr., Roger Wheeler, Susan Hillgren, Don Stoneman and Joe Borden.
■ 2009 — Mikki Saunders, Kathryn Schreiner, Jim Lunt, Chuck Hatten and Tom Schaafsma.
■ 2008 — Harold Baar, Jacqueline Russell, Colleen Robinson, Virginia and Welden Clark of Sequim, Doc Reiss and Barbara Ann Townsend.
■ 2007 — Jim Pickett, Lambert “Bal” Balducci and Kathleen Balducci, Dick and Marie Goin, and Orville Campbell.
■ 2006 — Steve Zenovic, Eleanor Tschimperle, Bryce Fish, John and Sue Miles, and Steve Methner.
■ 2005 — Rose Crumb; the Rev. Charles “Charlie” Mays; Liz Zenonian-Waud; the Rev. Mel Wilson and his wife, Kathy; and Gary Colley.
■ 2004 — John and Lelah Singhose, June Robinson, Roger Oakes and Cheryl Bauman.
■ 2003 — Cody Sandell, John and Anne-Marie Summers, 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 and Manuela Velasquez.
■ 1999 — Bill Fatherson, Dorothy Skerbeck and S. Brooke Taylor.
■ 1998 — George Woodriff, Earl Gilson, Stuart Smith and Tom McCabe.
■ 1997-96 — Dave Robinson, Dennis Duncan, Jo Davies, Art Judd and 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.
Recipients 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; and Art Feiro, 1980.
