Making A Difference Award nominations are due soon

RICHLAND CENTER, WIS. (WRCO / WRCE) This Year’s Annual Making A Difference Awards will be presented soon. The annual awards, sponsored by Richland Rejuvenates and WRCO Radio/Civic Media, will be presented at the annual banquet held this year on Sunday, January 31, at the Phoenix Center Banquet Hall in Richland Center.

This awards program was started to honor those who have made a difference in our daily

lives. It is meant to be a time when the community and county can stop and say thank you and recognize those efforts. Nominations are needed from community residents to identify those special people that may go unnoticed by the community. It is the community and citizens of the greater Richland County area because they are the ones that truly know who these people are as many of those deserving recognition do the things, they do to make a difference quietly and unnoticed. These awards may be given for work done in the previous 12 months, or for an entire body of work.

Nominations are being accepted for:

Employee of the Year goes to an outstanding employee who has made a large impact on the organization, while exemplifying ethics and integrity, consistency, quality of work with collaboration and a team mindset. The person who shows up every day at work and makes a difference for coworkers and the company that employs them.

Business of the Year is a business that has made an impact on our community through its work, its employee impact, its volunteerism, or its leadership to create growth and a true sense of community.

Outstanding Organization Award is an organization, formal or informal, that has made an impact on our community through its work, its vision, its volunteerism, or its leadership to create a caring, compassionate community.

Civic Leadership Award goes to an employee of the city, county, state or other governmental agency who goes above and beyond the call of duty to enhance Richland County. This could be a city, county or state employee, a member of city council or county board, school board member or school employee.

  Non-Profit of the Year that makes our county a better place to live and deserves recognition.

 The Best Face Forward Award is presented to recognize a business or commercial property owner who has improved the appearance of a building or property in our community.

Community Stewardship Award is for an individual or couple who has truly made a difference in our community, providing inspiration and vision, by touching the lives of Richland County residents. Their impact and dedication make Richland County and the center of it all. Stewardship is an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources.

The Emergency Responder Award will give special recognition to the individuals who risk their lives to save others. Nominations are encouraged in support of firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs and First Responders.

The Educator of the Year, nominees should have built strong and caring relationships with students while excelling and demonstrating a knowledge and passion of the subject matter showing they have taught that subject effectively to their students. This person should also understand the individual needs of students, encourage the students to use their talents and foster their self-esteem. The recipient should also be able to show they can foster cooperative relationships with their colleagues and the community.

Medical Hero Award or Health Care Professional of the Year award goes to anyone working in the medical field which could include, doctors, nurses, CNAs or anyone involved in serving in the medical arena in anyway. Including those behind the scenes such as support staff. This award winner is someone who gives of themselves to make us a healthier community.

Up and Coming Youth Award is meant to recognize someone 18 or under who is making a difference in the community or school. The recipient should be someone who puts others before themselves demonstrated by the example of their efforts.

Nomination is easy, you may submit a nomination by mailing the information to Making A Difference, c/o Southwest Partners Inc, PO Box 651, Richland Center, WI 53581 or email your nomination to swp.acctg@gmail.com or drop the information off at the 1313 West Seminary Street STE 100 in Richland Center WI 53581. For questions call 608-604-7022. The nomination should include a couple of paragraphs on why you are making the nomination.

Nominations are due by Monday, January 9. The nominee must be a resident of Richland County; Businesses must be either located in or doing business in Richland County. Please be sure to tell why you nominated this individual or business with as much detail as possible.

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