In less than one month, the United Way Volunteer Center plans to honor and celebrate 50+ volunteers from Sheboygan County! We will hold the first annual Spirit of Sheboygan Volunteer Awards on Thursday, February 4, at 11:30 a.m. in the Blue Harbor Conference Center. In addition to presenting awards in nine categories, and recognizing the top five nominees in each category, we will also be announcing the total volunteer impact of 2015, including total number of volunteers, volunteer hours, and the monetary value that the nonprofit agencies see from those volunteer hours.

You have just a bit of time yet to nominate a volunteer! We’ve had numerous nominations come in so far, but still need your help recognizing your friends, colleagues and neighbors. Parents, does your child volunteer for a specific organization or a few? Nominate him or her for the Youth Volunteer Star Award! Is there someone in your church that routinely goes above and beyond for the congregation? Nominate him or her for the Faith-Based Volunteer of the Year Award! Or do you have a colleague that consistently promotes volunteerism in your workplace? Nominate him or her for the Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award!

I know, I know. You’re thinking that our nomination process is tedious and you don’t have the time. Wrong! You should be able to complete one nomination in five minutes or less. Other than some basic contact information, we ask three questions: Why are you nominating this volunteer; In your view, how does your nominee embrace the spirit of giving of her/himself so willingly; and Tell us how your nominee’s volunteer service has helped the organization he or she serves better achieve its mission. And folks, your answers do not need to be in essay form. We’re looking for a sentence or two in each category.

To nominate a volunteer on or before January 7, visit uwofsc.org, or call our office at (920) 458-3425. I’d be happy to take your nomination over the phone. The nine award categories include:

• Individual Volunteer, honoring an individual volunteer
• Group/Team Volunteers of the Year, honoring a group or team of two or more people that volunteer together on the same project under a group or team name
• Youth Volunteer Star, honoring an individual under the age of 18
• Faith-Based Volunteer of the Year, honoring an individual, group, family or team that volunteer through or for a faith-based organization
• Outstanding Volunteer Board of Directors, honoring a nonprofit board that has shown exceptional leadership in driving a nonprofit organization
• Corporate Volunteer of the Year, honoring an individual from a corporation that has demonstrated dedication in volunteerism throughout the corporation
• Perseverance in Volunteerism, honoring a volunteer who has overcome significant personal, mental and/or physical obstacles in order to engage in service to others
• Community Spirit Award, honoring a corporation that has made a substantial impact in our community by promoting service to their employees by providing volunteer hours, engaging in other volunteer activities and providing paid time for employees to volunteer
• Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a volunteer who has exhibited a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community service

We are also now accepting registrations for the event. The cost is $20 per person for the event and lunch. Visit uwofsc.org/events for more information on attending the event.

And as always, contact our office at (920) 458-3425 with any questions you may have about this event. The nominations are rolling in and we love reading all the positive messages about volunteerism!