Nominate a Middletown-Area Volunteer for NJ Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service

So many local citizens did so much to help others in recent months after the Jersey Shore was slammed by Hurricane Sandy.

Here is a way to thank the volunteers.

Nominations for the NJ State Governor's Jefferson Awards for Public Service will be accepted through Feb. 28 at the website. 

Governor’s Jefferson Awards for Volunteerism 
Honor individual or group volunteer efforts that achieve measurable community impact and represent outstanding acts of public service without the expectation of recognition or compensation. Recipients demonstrate unique vision, dedication and tenacity of heroic proportion and serve as inspiration for others to respond to the call to action.

Award Categories: 

Main Street Heroes 
An individual or specific partner organization who goes and has gone the extra mile to make a designated local Main Street New Jersey program and/or its district thrive, survive or otherwise reach excellence in a meaningful way to or for that community. If an individual, this person may be someone within the local designated MSNJ organization or from outside it. If another entity, it may be a group that partners with your local MSNJ organization.

Hurricane Sandy 
This one-time-only category is an opportunity to recognize a volunteer or group of volunteers who responded to the New Jersey disaster created by Hurricane Sandy. This can include first responders, voluntary organizations, or long-term recovery efforts.

Emergency Services 
Recognize volunteer EMTs, police, fire fighters and other emergency service volunteers who ensure public safety and well-being by responding in emergency situations, engaging in community awareness and education, and providing for safer communities.

Health Care Professional
Recognize professionals who volunteer their time and talents to address the physical and/or psychological health care needs of those who are uninsured, unrepresented, or unable to obtain basic or specialized care on their own. 

Health Care Individual
Recognize individuals whose volunteer service to health institutions and organizations have enabled them to serve the needs of those in need of care and their families. 

Education, Arts & History
Recognize volunteers who provide classroom and/or after-school programs, enrichment opportunities, tutoring, or other academic support that would enhance the student’s ability to succeed;

Recognize volunteers whose service maintains and preserves New Jersey’s history by working with historic sites, museums and other organizations with a special interest in history; or whose service directly or indirectly impact the arts and cultural fabric of New Jersey.   

Environmental Stewardship
Recognize volunteers who pioneer and promote energy conservation and environmental action to foster a clean, green, sustainable environment and/or those who establish or revitalize conservation practices and public awareness within the local, state, national or global community.

Corporate Leadership
Recognize corporate entities that demonstrate social responsibility, set an example, and provide opportunities for employees to engage in volunteer efforts through extraordinary and consistent support of charitable causes.

Executive Leadership
Recognize individuals in executive positions in private or public sectors whose commitment to volunteerism extends throughout their organization, utilizing their status to motivate others and generate response to meet the unfulfilled needs of the community. 

Lifetime Service
Recognize individuals whose lifelong commitment to volunteerism has made a measurable impact upon the community. 

Youth in Service (attending high school and younger)
Recognize young individuals who lead and inspire both peers and adults to participate in volunteer efforts and/or those youth who are dedicated to establishing new or supporting existing community service programs.

Service to Youth
Recognize those volunteer activities that directly or indirectly enhances the lives and development of the youth population.

Good Neighbor
Recognize individuals who consistently perform acts of kindness towards neighbors in need and through a series of simple good deeds have made a significant difference in the lives of others.

Founders/Innovators
Recognize individuals whose vision and dedication result in the establishment of a new organization to meet unmet needs or new improved means of meeting those needs.  

Ambassador
Recognize individuals whose exemplary volunteer service beyond the borders of New Jersey have made the world a better place for some while reflecting favorably on the people of the Garden State. 

Faith Based Services
Recognize individuals whose volunteer efforts through their commitment to a faith based organization serve the needs of the broader community.   

Volunteer Leadership
Recognize individuals who by their example and efforts inspire and recruit others to become actively involved in volunteerism and community service.

Community Pillar
Recognize individuals who by the breadth and depth of their service across many categories of volunteerism significantly contribute to life of their community of residence.

Against All Odds 
Recognize an individual or group that overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to successfully complete a volunteer activity. 

Volunteer Program or Group 
Recognize an outstanding volunteer group or program consisting of 3 or more individuals, ages 19 and over, who coordinate and participate in various volunteer activities to benefit their communities.

Youth Volunteer Program or Group   
Recognize an outstanding volunteer group or program consisting of 3 or more individuals, all ages 18 and under, who coordinate and participate in various volunteer activities to benefit their communities.