The Garfield County Humanitarian Service Awards are designed to honor all outstanding Garfield County individuals, and that includes New Castle-ites. Anyone who is a resident of Garfield County can nominate anyone else from Garfield County who has been active in community service. This means you.

Nominations are needed, because without nominations, there would be no awards.And that is ridiculous. We all know someone who dedicates his or her life to a cause or who goes out of their way to make someone’s life a little brighter or easier. That someone can be encouraged to continue acts of kindness by your acknowledgment. Great things are happening every day in Garfield County, and nominations are being taken right now. You can nominate a youth, senior, volunteer or staff person for an award. Please do not nominate groups or parts of groups.The committee needs as much specific information about your nominee as possible, and looks for variety in the nominees’ community involvement. So gather specific details about their community service, and consider roping someone else into the process who knows other pertinent information about your nominee. Committee members have the flexibility to create special awards depending on the nominations received. The “Good Neighbor” award was given in 2001; the “Peacemaker” Award was given in 2002; and several Above and Beyond” awards have been given. But only the committee members have the capability to determine these special awards.

Nominees don’t have to be Nobel Prize winners or Dr. Martin Luther King. Personal, poignant stories about nominees and their good works are valued. E-mail your nomination to me at the address below by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. Late nominations cannot be considered.Your nominee will be notified of their nomination, and sent details about the Humanitarian Service Awards Dinner, to which he or she will be a guest at the dinner. Please consider attending the dinner to be a part of this wonderful tribute to your nominee. Call Ronda at 384-2357 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays only, for reservations to the dinner.

You hear depressing news every day. Here is your chance to set in motion the opportunity to honor someone and do something special. You can actually do it; it is not hard. You can make a positive difference.You’ll be amazed at how many other people’s lives will be affected by your recognition. And how good you will feel.Kay Vasilakis’ column, “New Castle News,” appears every other Thursday. She is also the media coordinator for the Garfield County Human Services Commission. To contact her with news tips, local inspirations, or Humanitarian nominations, call 384-9118 or e-mail kvasilakis@postindependent.com.