AURORA | Nominations are being accepted now for the City of Aurora’s Community Spirit Awards, honoring volunteers and members of the local nonprofit community.
Several awards are available — recognizing “those who demonstrate ongoing leadership, a commitment to volunteerism and involvement in our community,” according to the city’s website — with nominations open through the end of April.
Categories include:
- City of Aurora Volunteer — A volunteer whose efforts directly impact city operations, programs and events.
- City of Aurora Youth Volunteer — A volunteer, 18 years or younger, whose efforts directly impact city operations, programs and events.
- Community Volunteer — An outstanding community volunteer who has made a valuable and selfless commitment to a nonprofit organization that is located in or has a presence in the Aurora community.
- Youth Community Volunteer — A community member, 18 years or younger, who has made a valuable and selfless commitment to a nonprofit organization that is either located in or has a presence in the Aurora community.
- Community Business Partner — A local business that has demonstrated excellence in partnering with a City of Aurora nonprofit organization to better serve the needs of the community.
- Community Partner Organization — A nonprofit organization that manages an exceptional volunteer program whose efforts have made a significant impact within the community.
- Service Member Veteran Volunteer — An active duty, drilling, reserve, retired or former service member whose volunteer efforts have significantly impacted the city of Aurora.
- City of Aurora Employee Volunteer — A city employee who has positively impacted the community through their leadership and volunteer work.
All entries are due by 5 p.m. April 29. The nomination form is available at https://auroraco.seamlessdocs.com/f/fx78h2l8pmf2.
Members of the public with questions about the nomination form can contact the city at Volunteer@AuroraGov.org.
Great idea. Here’s some food for thought.
Volunteers almost never are looking for awards, only self fulfilment.
But who will select:
Jim Twomby and the Assistant City Managers?
City Council?
Chief of Police?
A volunteer group led by Candace Baily?
The Aurora Police Association in conjunction with the FOP?
The APD Victim Assistance Board or Department?
Dave Perry and the Aurora Sentinel Editorial Board?
The Mayor?
Or the best answer possible…All of the above. Last man standing.
I look forward with great anticipation who selects and who gets selected. I have stated for years to others on the bar stools that, “if everyone in Aurora volunteered two hours a month, what a wonderful community we would have”. Then they always bought me a beer to shut me up!
I’ve followed this practice since 1990. I’m hoping we all will as it is possible. By the way, “Community Service” through the courts probably should not count. Or maybe that could be another area for this endeavor.