Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award returns for 2009
Calgary, AB (3/30/2009) - Direct Energy and the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA) invite Albertans to help recognize our province’s remarkable volunteer spirit with the fifth annual direct in the community – Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. The contest runs through National Volunteer Week and nominations close Monday, May 18th.
The program is designed to recognize volunteers whose contribution makes their communities a better place to live. According to Volunteer Alberta, volunteers in this province contribute an average of 214 million volunteer hours each year. That’s equivalent to approximately 11,000 individuals working full-time.
“Each year we support the program, we’re amazed at the number of heart-warming stories we receive about Albertans and their spirit of generosity,” says Tanis Kozak, Vice-President and General Manager for Direct Energy. “That spirit is worthy of recognition so we’re delighted to have reached a five-year milestone and to fund the program again.”
The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is an extension of an existing Direct Energy program that encourages company employees to volunteer their time and energy to a cause or an organization in their local community.
The award itself consists of:
- $1,000 cash prize to the winner;
- $5,000 cash grant to the winner’s organization/cause of choice in their respective community;
- recognition of the winner’s achievement through a commemorative award, article and photo to be published in AWNA newspapers across Alberta; and
- special recognition of four semi-finalists.
Last year’s winner, Vic Sadlowski – known as Mr. Volunteer to many of his friends – donated his $5,000 to the Bonnyville Health Foundation to purchase a Colleagues CX IV Pump for the acute care ward.
“We’re looking forward to once again recognizing individuals who work hard to make our communities great places to live,” said AWNA President George Brown. “The selfless actions of past winners like Vic and many of the other nominees often go unrewarded. This program is designed to showcase appreciation for their efforts. I invite AWNA member newspaper publishers and editors and community leaders to nominate their outstanding volunteers. The direct in the community – Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is a great opportunity to recognize invaluable volunteers and to benefit your community."
The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is open to residents who reside within a community served by an AWNA member newspaper. Applicants can either self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or group. Nominations should be no longer than 750 words in length and detail the specific contribution the individual or group has made to the local community through improving the quality of life for fellow citizens. The nominations also need to profile the designated organization and how that organization would use the $5,000 donation.
Nominations must be submitted to local AWNA newspapers by May 18, 2009. A selection committee, formed of two representatives from the AWNA and two appointed by Direct Energy, will review award applications and select the finalists and winning individual or group.
Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award rules and details can be found online at www.awna.com or www.directenergy.com/vcoy
, or can be picked up at AWNA member newspaper offices.
About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is one of North America’s largest energy and energy-related services providers with over 5 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 21 states plus DC and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, visit www.directenergy.com.
About the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association
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 120 member newspapers throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories. They boast a combined circulation of 909,436. The smallest newspaper circulates 500 copies each week; the largest – 143,157. 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 700 newspapers.
For additional information, contact:
Lynzey MacRae
Public Relations Specialist
Direct Energy
403-290-6775
lynzey.macrae@directenergy.com
Maurizia Hinse
Professional Development and Communication
780.434.8746
maurizia_hinse@awna.com
Direct Energy® is a subsidiary of Centrica plc. All rights reserved. Centrica was created following the demerger of British Gas plc in 1997 and is now a leading supplier of energy and related services. To read more about Centrica plc please visit www.centrica.com.