Times Chronicle Staff
Do you know someone with “spirit” in Oliver?
If so, be sure to nominate them for the 17th annual Spirit of Oliver Awards.
The town has put out the call for nominations, which close July 8.
In collaboration with Oliver Parks and Recreation, the community likes to recognize people who make the town a better place to live through their actions. These are people who volunteer their time to help others in need or enhance the community in some way.
The categories are: youth, group, community roots, community builder, individual adult or couple.
The 2020 winners were Vance Potter (community roots), Desert Valley Hospice (group), Kelan Harty (youth), Louis and Jolanda Balog (individual), Janet Shaw (community builder), and front-line health care workers at South Okanagan General Hospital, Sunnybank Centre and McKinney Place (group award).
Nomination forms are available at the Town Hall or online at www.oliver.ca/spirit-of-oliver/
Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan said she loves these awards because community members nominate other community members to publicly recognize their outstanding volunteer efforts.
“We have so many incredible people who give their time and skills to better life in Oliver for others and its such a good thing for those folks to know how important and appreciated they are.”
This also inspires others to get more involved in the community, she pointed out.
Sheridan said it’s much easier to nominate someone with the online form, which only takes a few minutes and can have a big impact.
“The awards committee (judges) would have the hardest job of all, as there are so many deserving nominees.”
Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said they have received three nominations to date. “On average we receive about 14 nominations and would like to see more if possible, especially for youth.”
Johansen said these awards are so special because they “honour local individuals, groups, couples and youth who, through their dedication and volunteering, preserve the very things that makes Oliver great.”
The mayor said volunteers make outstanding contributions to building and improving the community which leads to enhancing the quality of life in Oliver and surrounding areas including the Osoyoos Indian Band.
“I’m hopeful we will never run out of people to nominate and as long as people continue to volunteer, I believe the nominations from the citizens of Oliver will continue to be brought forward.”
