Community Awards a way to honor good samaritans
By Ginna Young Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to make their community a better place? Then the Cornell Area Betterment Association (CABA) wants to hear from you, to help select individuals and businesses, in the Cornell and Holcombe area, for the annual Community Awards.
The awards have been held since 2018. “We are excited to once again recognize the outstanding people in our communities,” said CABA president Kristine Hemenway.
The nominee selected will be recognized at a dinner and given a plaque. Nominees should live, work or make a significant impact, in the Cornell or Holcombe area. Activities listed on the application of the chosen category, must be within the past five years.
Community Leader: Individual who has demonstrated an active interest and significant involvement within the community, and has raised the standards of social responsibility. (Seen as a role model.)
Volunteer of the Year: Nomination must be for volunteer work only (non-paid time), and is someone who has made a lasting impact on the community and distinguished themselves through volunteerism in the community.
Civic Organization: A non-governmental group, who has never received this award before, composed mostly of volunteers, who demonstrate involvement in the community.
New Venture Award: A business, individual or organization that has made an impact on the community within the last two years, which could be a new program, expansion, service or event.
Business of the Year (Can be a large or small business): Must not have not received this award in the past five years, but demonstrates involvement in the community.
Legacy Award: Someone who has made an impact on the community over many years time, in which the award can be given posthumously.
“The nominations are very important, because we don’t always see what’s going on, but people out in the community do,” said Hemenway.
Nominations open Wednesday, Jan. 29, and forms are due by Wednesday, Feb. 12. Paper forms can be filled out online, at cornellbetterment.weebly.com, printed off, via the link, or picked up at the Courier Sentinel office and Sam’s Place. All paper forms can be dropped off at the Courier office.
A list of past recipients are on the CABA website. Nominations will be voted on by CABA.
“We are appreciative of the wonderful community input for last year’s awards and hope to have even more input this year,” said Hemenway.
Rick Mitchell, Cornell American Legion and VFW commander (right), presented Kathy Swanson, Cornell and Lake Holcombe Camaraderie Club member, Jan. 16, with $500 and $250, respectively, from the veteran organizations. The club sends care packages to deployed troops from the area, which means the group has to fundraise with their annual thrift sale or rely on donations from others. Currently, it costs $24.25 postage, per box, with eight soldiers on the mailing list.
Submitted Photo
