APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region is looking for nominations from the public to highlight individuals and organizations that go above and beyond every day.
The Celebrating Volunteers event, now in its 22nd year, looks to put the spotlight on the people and businesses that often times don’t seek it.
The event, also sponsored by The Post-Crescent, is held May 1, 2019, at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley in downtown Appleton.
The goal is to celebrate individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout Outagamie, Calumet, Waupaca and Northern Winnebago counties that take part in selfless volunteer work.
Often times, these individuals and entities do their service work for only the satisfaction of doing good in the community.
“They’re very humble,” says Tammy Geenen, Vice President of Community Engagement with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. “[They] certainly never expect any kind of public recognition in this way.”
The event has seven different award categories:
- Business Partnership Award sponsored by SECURA Insurance
- Youth Scholarship Award sponsored by Community First Credit Union
- Janet Berry Volunteer of the Year Award sponsored by The Post-Crescent
- Health Care Award sponsored by Ascension and ThedaCare
- Walter L. Rugland Community Service Award sponsored by Thrivent Financial
- Hanns Kretzschmar Award for Excellence in the Arts sponsored by Thrivent Financial
- Paul & Elaine Groth Mentoring Award Sponsored by the Mielke Family Foundation
Nominations from the public are being accepted through February 5.
“It’s a great way for the community to thank them for the time that they’ve given to help make the community a better place,” says Geenen.
Often times unrecognized, these agents of service work to make the community a better place.
“This event brings together several hundred people who volunteer their time to ensure the Fox Valley continues to be a thriving community and great place to live,” says Curt Detjen, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. “We are lucky so many feel that volunteering is a valuable part of their lives, and we honor that community spirit of service with these special awards.”
Awards include $5,000 for charity, while the recipient of the youth award receives $1,000 for charity, in addition to a $1,500 scholarship.
Award sponsors have given out $691,000 to local charities selected by award recipients, since the event started in 1998.
For those involved, it never gets old.
“Every year we and the award sponsors always say, ‘We can’t wait to see what kind of nominations we’re going to receive this year,’” says Geenen. “We always say, ‘Last year there was such a great group of award recipients, how can this year be topped by last years award recipients?’”
For more information and to fill out a nomination form, visit celebratevolunteers.org.
