The submission deadline for the Red Deer Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing volunteerism and leadership in the community, is fast approaching.
Phil Pattison, chair of the nominating committee, says the calibre of nominations — due on March 31 — increases every year.
“In general there are no shortage of applications and it is always a very difficult choice,” Pattison said on Monday.
“We’ve just completed the Scotties, the Ronald McDonald House ... there are a number of things that happen in this city that would not happen if not for the leadership and volunteerism of many different people.”
Presented by the Rotary Clubs of Red Deer, the Citizen of the Year and the Young Citizen of the Year Awards are given out each year at the Citizen of the Year Rotary Spring Gala.
This year’s event will be held at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel on May 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. and feature curling Olympian Cheryl Bernard as guest speaker.
“We reveal to the public the winners at our spring gala and we need to choose them in the first two weeks of April because there are a number of things that we do in order to get ready for that gala event,” Pattison said, encouraging nominations before March 31.
The two citizens of the year will have their names engraved in the bronze plaque underneath the Rotary Clock on the corner of Ross Street and 49th Avenue.
The adult citizen of the year will be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and money is donated in their name to the Rotary Foundation.
The youth citizen will receive a scholarship of at least $1,000.
Both winners also receive a three-foot Rotary Clock.
“These people do things for no recognition but we think once a year we should recognize them,” Pattison said.
Nomination forms are available online at www.reddeer.ca or www.rotaryclubofreddeer.ca.
Tickets for the spring gala can be purchased for $100 per person at www.ticketweb.ca, by contacting Dean Williams at 403-350-8429, or by contacting Hillary Boijolie at 403-341-4000.
jjones@www.reddeeradvocate.com