CHRISTIANSBURG — NRV Leading Lights is seeking Volunteer Award nominations from across the New River Valley for its 2021 volunteer awards.
The deadline for nominations for the 13th annual awards is midnight, March 31. The nominations form is available only online at www.leadinglightsnrv.org.
Awards are given in three categories: community (seven awards), high school (two awards), and college (two awards).
In the community award category, an award is reserved for a volunteer in each county/city of the New River Valley (Floyd County, Giles County, Pulaski County, Radford City), and two in Montgomery County (due to population), and one across the whole NRV to recognize Lifetime Volunteer Achievement.
Nominees in the high school and college categories must be currently enrolled in a school/college in the New River Valley.
Distinguished Recipients in each category will be selected on the following criteria: (1) Strong community involvement with a demonstrated lifestyle of dedicated, continuous, long-term involvement to the community; and (2) Proven leadership with demonstrated creativity in initiating and implementing projects that lead to a better quality of life
NRV Leading Lights recognizes volunteers in the New River Valley each year who are making community-changing impacts that culminates in an annual celebratory event. Due to the challenges of COVID19, the event will be virtual for 2021, and the chosen charities of each Distinguished Recipient will be highlighted in a video. NRV Leading Lights also honors Distinguished Recipients by making a monetary donation to the non-profits of their choice and honoring all nominees in the virtual event, presenting each nominee with a plaque.
Persons who have been nominated before but not selected as a Distinguished Recipient may be nominated again. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to submit nominations for outstanding New River Valley volunteers they know or volunteer with. Administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, club sponsors, and youth mentors are asked to nominate young people for the high school and college awards. Groups and organizations cannot be nominated for awards.
Leading Lights are engaged in diverse volunteer activities across the New River Valley. Collectively they spend thousands of hours over their lifetimes volunteering with clothing banks, rescue and disaster relief teams; mentoring youth, managing holiday programs, overseeing weekend ‘food backpack’ programs, helping at local food kitchens, serving with civic groups, building the community, and volunteering with more than a hundred other noble local charitable activities and programs. Leading Lights is focused on the impact of a volunteer’s work and leadership.
For more information or assistance, call (540) 230-0815 or email leadinglightsnrv@gmail.com.
Area non-profit organizations collaborate with the Virginia Tech German Club Alumni Foundation (GCAF) for the Annual “Leading Lights: Shining a Light on Neighbors Helping Neighbors” recognition awards for volunteers in the local community.
