Heart of Yuma nominees sought

The Yuma Community Foundation is seeking nominations for the 10th annual Heart of Yuma Awards.

The event, scheduled for the Yuma Civic Center on Oct. 27, will give the community an opportunity to honor citizens who have "made a difference."

"There are so many people who do so much for our community. They do these things quietly and sometimes we're not even aware," said Judy Gresser, executive director of YCF.

Categories are Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Benefactor, Outstanding For-Profit Corporation and Outstanding Nonprofit Corporation. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 11.

The nominees will be evaluated by a panel of Yuma County residents and the YCF advisory board. Selection for a Heart of Yuma Award is based on involvement, leadership, initiative and contribution. Everyone who is nominated will be honored.

"Everyone is a winner in a sense. They are all recognized at the event. They are all called forward to receive a Heart of Yuma," said Gresser.

Nominees will receive a glass paperweight and winners will receive a larger prize, but Gresser said the main purpose of the event is to recognize everyone who makes a difference in Yuma.

"It's a chance to say, 'We appreciate what you do.'"

The highlight of the event will be the naming of Yuma's Philanthropist of the Year. This recognition is given to the individual whose exceptional contributions transcend all Heart of Yuma categories. Gresser called the nominees in this category the "giants among us."

Past Philanthropists of the Year have included: F.C. "Frosty" Braden, Don Soldwedel, Rose and Steve Sturges, Alexander Dees, Glen Curtis, Jones Osborn, Ron Martin, Louise Barkley, and Jon and Liney Jessen.

Nominations for all categories may be submitted by e-mail to jgresser@azfoundation.org, or by fax to 783-3544 or by mail to Yuma Community Foundation. P.O. Box 6835 Yuma, AZ 85366. Nominations must include nominee contact information.