Celebrate Our Communities!
Those who are inclined to volunteer their time for charitable causes or to help those less fortunate usually do so selflessly and often in obscurity, with little expectation of notoriety or fanfare. The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain established the Celebrate Our Communities! Awards program to give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve.
The awards – one each presented annually in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington – honor an outstanding grassroots volunteer in each town, and a local charity of the honoree's choice.
The Foundation has earmarked $10,000 annually in grant awards for the program. The recipient in each community earns the right to designate a $2,500 grant to a local charity of their choice, subject to approval of the Community Foundation Board of Directors.
The Celebrate Awards have four objectives:
- Raise awareness of the importance of volunteerism and community service
- Offer recognition to deserving volunteers who have made a difference in their communities
- Provide financial support to local charities
- Raise awareness of the important work that the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain does in its four service communities.
The Celebrate Awards program is co-sponsored by The Citizen Newspapers of Berlin, Plainville and Southington and The Herald of New Britain. Also supporting the program are the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, New Britain Chamber of Commerce, Plainville Chamber of Commerce, Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Southington.
Nominees must have a demonstrated track record of community service benefiting the town in which they are nominated. Residency is not required. In-kind or compensated service is not eligible. Elected officials and paid staff of community service agencies and organizations are not eligible.
To learn more about the Celebrate! Awards program contact Pat McNamara at 860.229.6018 x300.
Click here to download a 2008 Celebrate! Award nomination form.