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Exemplary citizens honoured with awards

Nominate folks now to recognize them for community service

It's time to nominate the community's outstanding residents for Citizen of the Year.

Almost everyone knows of somebody who stands out as a shining example in giving of themselves in service to the community, or an individual in the community. So, this is the time to recognize their hard work and exemplary efforts.

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, who has been named citizen of the year, chairs the Citizen of the Year Committee for the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), which hosts the esteemed award each year.

"I hope we get lots of nominees because there are so many wonderful people who live in the South Cariboo, and just being nominated is an honour," says Barnett.

"It's always a hard decision for the committee to make, but every single person who is nominated certainly deserves the recognition they get."

Nominations go to the committee for review by comparing them to the documented criteria, and then the committee deliberates and chooses the winner.

SCCC executive director Lianne Heales says the chamber is accepting nominations from now until Feb. 4. She is pleased to see the “heart and soul” that goes into nominations.

"People feel very passionately about the nominees they are putting forward ... and it seems like there are so many deserving people – it really does. What a remarkable community."

Heales is new to her role at SCCC, but she notes that reading through so many heartfelt past nominations makes her glad these people have all been recognized.

"Obviously, many people in the community are touched by the deeds of others, and in so many different ways."

The 2013 Citizen of the Year will be awarded at the chamber's Red Carpet Gala Awards of Excellence event on March 22 at the 100 Mile Community Hall.

Heales adds it is not necessary to be a chamber member to nominate someone or to be nominated.

Nomination forms are available at the SCCC office at #2-385 Birch Ave. (off Fourth Street), the 100 Mile House Free Press at 536 Horse Lake Rd., and A&B Photo at 338 Birch Ave. Then, drop off your completed paper nomination forms at the SCCC office, where there is also an after-hours mail slot.

Digital forms can be both obtained and returned by e-mail to manager@southcariboochamber.org.