“Every year Islanders throughout the province donate their time and talents. They give to our communities, take care of our citizens, and strengthen our way of life,” Minister MacFadyen said. “The Volunteer Recognition Awards recognize these people for their hard work and dedication to our province and to its people.”

The provincial government established the Volunteer Recognition Award in 2002 as a follow-up to the International Year of the Volunteer. The program was designed to recognize seven volunteers each year who give unselfishly to their community in a variety of ways. Past award recipients include Islanders involved in their hospitals, their schools, and their communities; those who operate breakfast programs, help in seniors homes, care for friends, maintain the cleanliness of communities, coach children and assist their neighbours.

“I hope Islanders will consider nominating someone for this prestigious award,” said the Minister. “It is important that we recognize our neighbours and friends who have made life in our province richer and better through donations of time and effort.”

The deadline for nominations for the Volunteer Recognition Awards is December 8, 2006. Nomination forms can be completed by an individual, or by an organization and are available at the eight Access PEI sites across the Island (Tignish, Alberton, O'Leary, Wellington, Summerside, Charlottetown, Montague, and Souris). Nominations can also be submitted online at www.gov.pe.ca/go/volunteer.

Completed nomination forms can be dropped off at any Access PEI location, or mailed to Volunteer Recognition Awards, Community and Cultural Affairs, PO Box 2000, Charlottetown PE C1A 7N8.

For more information or to have a nomination form mailed out, call 902-368-4572.