PORT COQUITLAM, BC – January 10, 2017… Port Coquitlam is on the hunt again for spectacular volunteers. Nominations are now open for the city’s 2017 Volunteer Recognition Awards.

Held each year, the awards recognize the city’s hard-working volunteers and encourage residents to donate their time and talents to make the community a better place.

This year’s theme is Volunteers Drive us Forward, and nominations can be made online at www.portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer until Mar. 10 in one of seven categories: Arts, Heritage & Cultural Awareness; Caring & Safety; Environmental Protection & Enhancement; Sports & Recreation; Youth Programs; U21 (youth under age 21); and Lifetime Volunteer.

“Volunteers keep our city moving forward. They provide the energy and enthusiasm behind many important services in our city, and help us achieve our goal of being a happy, livable community,” Mayor Greg Moore said. “It takes only a small effort to submit a nomination and let them know how much we appreciate their contributions.”

All volunteers who are nominated will receive special treatment from the city – whether or not they win an award. All nominees receive a commemorative pin and two tickets to a Volunteer Recognition Awards and Tribute event, an invitation-only night of fun, food and entertainment held during National Volunteer Week in April and sponsored by Fortis BC.

Those who win awards in their categories will also receive a personalized etched glass award and have their names added to the volunteer honour roll at City Hall.

“People may not realize just how many of the services that we enjoy in our community rely on the hard work of volunteers,” said Cllr. Cllr. Laura Dupont, chair of the city’s Healthy Community Committee. “Although volunteers never expect any compensation for the work they do, it is truly special to receive an award nomination.”

The Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Awards have honoured 115 recipients and hundreds more nominees since their launch in 1997. The 2017 awards are sponsored by Fortis BC, which has supported the awards for 19 years.

Nomination details

Nominees can be any age and do not have to live in Port Coquitlam. They cannot have previously received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the City, and must meet at least one of these criteria:

• their unpaid volunteer contributions provide extraordinary help or care to families or groups in Port Coquitlam,
• they continually commit their time, talent and energy, without pay, to improve the quality of life in Port Coquitlam, or
• they have been voluntarily involved in a program or project that has had a lasting benefit for Port Coquitlam and its residents.

How to make a nomination count:

• Take the time to coordinate supporting materials to add to the details on the nomination form. The online nomination form includes ideas about what to include.
• The awards are intended for individuals – nominations for couples will not be considered.
• Visit the Volunteer Recognition Awards page at www.portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer for more information and the online nomination form.

Nominations close on Mar. 10. Complete details and past award winners can be viewed at www.portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer. Questions may be directed to 604.927.5410 or info@portcoquitlam.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca