Cobourg mayor Lucas Cleveland hopes local residents take a moment to recognize their fellow citizens who are making a meaningful difference locally by nominating them for a civic award by February 21.
As the Town of Cobourg opens the nomination period for its 22nd Annual Civic Awards, the mayor says, “Cobourg is a town of supreme generosity.”
“I have had a privileged first-hand seat to experience the generosity, the kindness, and the goodwill that are the hallmarks of what makes Cobourg the truly amazing community that we enjoy,” Cleveland shared with kawarthaNOW.
“My greatest hope for this year’s civic awards program is that people take the time to recognize these local heroes who do so much for those around them,” Cleveland said.
The theme for this year’s awards is “Pay It Forward” and Cobourg is encouraging community members to do so by nominating a deserving volunteer. The civic awards recognize local residents who have helped the town benefit as a result of their outstanding volunteerism and community involvement.
There are two levels of awards: the “Major Awards” in 11 categories, for those who have volunteered for five years or more and have varied volunteer experience, and the “Distinguished Awards” in seven categories, for those who have volunteered for a minimum of one year in the community.
“Volunteers, by their very nature, do not seek the limelight,” Cleveland said in a media release.
“They are happy to work in the background assisting organizations and individuals in need. They consider the greater good of others and are giving of their own time. This is why our civic awards event is so important to me and, in my opinion, the town’s feel-good event of the year.”
The civic awards committee will honour the successful recipients during National Volunteer Week with an event at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29 in the Concert Hall at Victoria Hall on King Street West in Cobourg.
In line with the “Pay it Forward” theme, Graham Beer, a past civic award recipient, will host the event.
Beer is the founder and executive producer of Cobourg Media, and his interview roster includes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario premiers Doug Ford and Kathleen Wynne, Olympians Clara Hughes and Hayley Wickenheiser, sportscaster Ron MacLean, and more. Beer has given back to several local organizations, raising more than $100,000 for his community, the release noted.
The nomination form and awards category information is available at www.cobourg.ca/civic-awards.
Residents are asked to review the award categories and select the most appropriate category, complete the online nomination form with all required information and supporting documentation (if applicable), and submit the nomination form and any supporting documentation by Friday, February 21.
