7 February 2012

Searching for Central Otago’s Local Heroes

The search to unearth Central Otago’s finest volunteers is once again on with entries now open for the TrustPower Central Otago District Community Awards (February 7).

The Awards, which are run in conjunction with the Central Otago District Council, are open to all voluntary groups and organisations working to make Central Otago a better place to live.

Anyone can enter a group or organisation for the TrustPower Central Otago District Community Awards – voluntary groups and organisations can even enter themselves.

Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper says volunteers are very special people, and it is important that we show them that we value and support the work that they do in our community

“The TrustPower Community Awards recognise the wide range of activities that are reliant on volunteers and they are a great way of rewarding the efforts of those groups that make a difference in our community.

Very few of our volunteers seek recognition or go out chasing awards they just get on with the job without realising how much of a difference that they are making to people’s lives”, says Mr Lepper.

Last year 22 groups were nominated for the TrustPower Central Otago District Community Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville is calling upon the whole of Central Otago to come together to support their volunteers through the Community Awards.

“This is the once-a-year chance residents have to show their appreciation for the thousands of hours voluntary groups dedicate to their community.

I’m looking forward to learning about what these volunteers have been achieving, and hope to see the community come on board and recognise these unsung heroes.

Entering a group into the TrustPower Community Awards will take just two minutes of your time but will be an enormous boost for the group you are recognising,” says Ms Somerville.

Entry Forms for the TrustPower Community Awards are available from the Council offices or service centres or can be downloaded from www.trustpower.co.nz/communityawards . Entry Forms can also be received by calling TrustPower Community Relations on 0800 87 11 11.

The awards cover five categories; Heritage and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Arts and Culture, Sport and Leisure, and Educational and Child/Youth Development. Category winners receive $500, runners-up receive $250 and the Supreme Winner will take home $1,500 and an all-expenses paid trip to the 2012 TrustPower National Community Awards.

Entries close on Friday 13 April.

For more information visit www.trustpower.co.nz

ENDS

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