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 2016 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 37th 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.
Nominations must be made using the accompanying coupon and must be submitted to the PDN by 5 p.m. Friday, March 4.
A letter describing the merits and accomplishments of the person being nominated must be included with the coupon.
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 2016 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 on April 28.
Questions? Phone Terry Ward, PDN publisher, at 360-417-3500. Or email him at tward@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last year, judges selected recipients for five awards. Receiving the 2015 award were:
■ Reath Ellefson, a tireless individual who uses her hands and heart to organize free community meals.
■ The late John Willits, who was passionately dedicated to preserving the North Olympic Peninsula’s natural resources.
■ Edna Leppell, West End ultra-volunteer involved in multiple community projects and activities spanning several decades.
■ Peggy Norris, who shares her talents, energy and passion with the Clallam County Historical Society, Kiwanis, Salvation Army and other groups.
■ Wendy and Russ Bonham, a spirited couple responsible for organizing, coaching and leading the Clallam County Orcas Special Olympics team.
Past honorees
Other past Community Service Award honorees:
■ 2014 — Hearst and Jerri Coen, Linda deBord, Ron Jones, Wayne Roedell and Mark Schildknecht.
■ 2013 — Leo Campbell, Thelma McCoy, Venay Money, Chuck Preble, Shawnna and Dan Rigg and Janet Young.
■ 2012 — Anna Barrigan, Cheri Fleck, John Halberg, Dan Huff, Jim and Robbie Mantooth and Charles “Moose” Parker.
■ 2011 — Ron Allen, Jaye Moore, Dewey Ehling, Colleen and Ray Divacky, Alan Barnard and Stephen Rosales.
■ 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 Baumann.
■ 2003 — Cody Sandell, John and Anne-Marie Summers, Edward Hopfner and Patty Hannah.
■ 2002 — Denise Brennan, John Pope, John Reed and Cynthia Martin.
■ 2000-01 — 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.
■ 1996-97 — 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.