Pipestone Flyer
submitted
CALGARY, AB – (March 23, 2015) – Direct Energy and the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA), which the Pipestone Flyer is an active member of, invite Albertans to help recognize and reward the province’s tremendous volunteer spirit with the 11th annual Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. The nomination period is now open and nominations will be accepted until Friday, April 17, 2015.
The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program seeks to acknowledge dedicated individuals whose contributions make their communities a better place to live. First introduced to Alberta in 2005, the program is part of Direct Energy’s North American community involvement initiative. In 2010, the program expanded to the U.S. and now has programs in 11 U.S. cities.
“Direct Energy is thrilled to once again partner with the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association and highlight the work of outstanding volunteers across communities in Alberta,” said Tanis Kozak, vice president and general manager, Direct Energy. “Each year there are hundreds of nominations for this award because Alberta is home to a vibrant sense of volunteer spirit which is worthy of spotlighting and rewarding.”
The award consists of:
• $5,000 cash grant to the winner’s organization/cause of choice in their community;
• Recognition of the winner’s achievement through a commemorative award, article, and photo to be published in AWNA newspapers across Alberta;
• Recognition of the four semi-finalists through a commemorative award, and an article and photo to be published in their respective AWNA community papers.
“We’re looking forward to once again recognizing individuals who work hard to make our communities great places to live,” said AWNA president Fred Gorman. “The selfless actions of past winners like Peter and Virginia Budinski of Mundare, Alberta, often go unrewarded. This program is designed to showcase appreciation for their efforts. I invite AWNA member newspaper publishers, editors, and community leaders to nominate their outstanding volunteers for the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award.”
The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is open to all residents of communities in the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association area. Individuals can either nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or group. Nominations should not exceed 750 words and must detail the specific contributions the individual or group has made to improve the community through volunteer service. The nomination must also profile the designated organization and how it would use the $5,000 donation from Direct Energy.
Nominations must be submitted to the AWNA by April 17, 2015. A selection committee, formed of two representatives from the AWNA and two appointed by Direct Energy, will review award applications, select the finalists and award the winning individual or group.
For Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award rules and details, visit www.awna.com or AWNA member newspaper offices, or visit www.directenergy.com/vcoy.
Direct Energy is North America’s largest provider of heating & cooling, plumbing and electrical services and a leading energy and energy-related services provider with over six million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.
AWNA, an organization which facilitates and strengthens Alberta’s community newspapers, reflect the images, thoughts and everyday happenings of the communities they serve. While these communities may vary in size; from tiny, isolated locations to bustling suburban centres, they share one important feature – a strong weekly newspaper. Today there are 118 member newspapers throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories. They boast a combined circulation of 900,460. The smallest newspaper circulates 443 copies each week; the largest – 127,593. We are part of a Canada-wide network of community newspapers through the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA). Together with six other provincial associations, we represent nearly 650 newspapers.