Volunteer Center of South Jersey Seeks Nominations for Volunteer Awards

Sewell, NJ, September 9, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​​Hurry, there are still a few days to nominate your outstanding employee, neighbor or friend for the Annual Spirit of Community Awards. Nominations are being accepted for the Volunteer Center of South Jersey's sixth annual Spirit of Community Awards to be held October 27, 2016.

“We know that volunteers are tasked with many different jobs, but their goal is the same: a passionate desire to make South Jersey a better place to live," Michele Epifani , Executive Director said. "Their tireless work is worthy of celebration and recognition—that’s how the Spirit of Community Awards Night was born." 

Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, Sept. 18th, 2016. Honorees will be recognized on Thursday Oct. 27, 2016 from 6 to 9pm at The Mansion on Main in Voorhees, NJ. This gathering is South Jersey's premiere civic event and brings together government officials, nonprofit organizations, corporations and service-minded leaders to honor the contributions made daily by friends, neighbors, and family members.
Non-profit and business organizations are encouraged to nominate their special volunteers to be honored at New Jersey's largest volunteer recognition event of its kind. The community is also invited to nominate both individuals and organizations, that, they feel deserve these prestigious awards, recognized from both a national and a regional level. "It's important to say thank you to volunteers, they are true backbone of many agencies, including our own," says, Cody Miller, VCSJ Board President.

For more information, nominations forms can be found at VCSJ's site www.sjvolunteers.org/spirit or call 856-415-9084. Nominations are being sought in the following categories:

Community Awards – These awards can be nominated by individuals and any organization type (nonprofit and business). Volunteer hours/service MUST be verified by those organizations where the nominee served.
South Jersey Humanitarian of the Year – This prestigious award is designed to honor a South Jersey leader who has consistently gone above and beyond to make his/her community a better place through their commitment to volunteerism and selfless acts of service.
Bob Shyrock Community Service Award – This award is bestowed to a local non-profit organization that has shown unwavering commitment to volunteerism and the community.
Distinguished Youth Service Award – This award recognizes community leaders between the ages of 14 and 23 who have made a great impact in the community. The final recipient of this award is specially selected by the Volunteer Center’s nomination committee. No minimum hour requirement.
Corporate Excellence Award – This award honors a socially responsible company with an exemplary commitment to service in their community.
President’s Volunteer Service Award – These awards – offered at the bronze, silver, gold and lifetime level – recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers nationwide who are answering the U.S. President’s call to serve others.  Recipients receive a signed letter from the President, a service pin, and letters of commendation from local legislative offices.

Nonprofit Awards – These awards can be nominated by a nonprofit organization only.
Volunteer Manager of the Year Award – This honor recognizes achievement in the creation, implementation and leadership of an effective volunteer program to meet social need.
Volunteer of the Year Award – This award provides a public platform for local nonprofits to recognize a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution in their agency.

Corporate Awards – These awards can be nominated by anyone to recognize an outstanding company or employee.​
Corporate Excellence Award – This award honors a socially responsible company with an exemplary commitment to service in their community.

H.E.R.O.E.S Award – Honoring Excellence, Rewarding Outstanding Employee Service – This new award offers local corporations and small businesses a platform to celebrate a “star employee” who has dedicated time, talent and resources to making a difference in the local community and whose unwavering commitment has served as an example and inspiration to the entire organization.

The Volunteer Center of South Jersey (VCSJ) was established as a private, independent 501c3 non-profit organization in 1996. VCSJ is a volunteer action center (VAC) in South Jersey, covering seven counties from Burlington to Cape May, whose mission is to change lives, empower families, and improve our community through volunteerism and the support of local non-profit organizations. The center offers best practices in civic engagement through education (workshops, publications, webinars, etc.) for volunteers (individual and groups) and organizations (business and non-profit). For more information, please visit http://www.sjvolunteers.org/ for more information.

Source: Volunteer Center of South Jersey