LIMA — For most volunteers, it is never about recognition, many preferring to help others out of the limelight. The Jefferson Awards, however, gives the public the opportunity to give volunteers their rightful due, showing gratitude for the work they do to make the community a better place.
“This is our 16th year for holding the Jefferson Awards for Public Service,” Hometown Lima Stations Public Service Director Tom Hendrixson said. “Anyone is eligible if they volunteer in this area for nonprofit organizations.”
The Jefferson Awards is sponsored by The Lima News, Your Hometown Lima Stations, and the United Way of Greater Lima. Eight winners are selected from the entries, with a $350 cash award donated by former county Commissioner Alberta Lee given to each winning volunteer’s organization. One of the eight winners is selected for the national Jefferson Awards banquet, held annually in Washington, D.C.
Hendrixson has judged awards entries for years, and he has constantly been impressed with the spirit of volunteerism shown in the area.
“It is truly amazing the work that is done out there by volunteers in the area,” he said. “It blows us away every year, and it is so difficult to pick out those who will be honored with money for their organizations.”
For Pamela Stricker, publisher of The Lima News, sponsoring the awards is a great honor and a good way of supporting efforts to improve quality of life in the area.
“We’re honored to be a part of this long tradition of being able to celebrate some of the outstanding efforts that have been done in our community,” she said. “It’s my first year being a part of this, and I’m excited to see all of these nominations come in.”
Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 24. Forms can be found at the Lima Public Library, the United Way of Greater Lima, at the Your Hometown Lima Stations office and in The Lima News.
