City Accepting Nominations for Be More Awards Honoring Volunteers

Bloomington, Ind. – City of Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton encourages all community members to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Be More Awards, the community volunteer awards presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. Nominations are being accepted now through Friday, March 12 at  www.BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org/bemore. 

“Volunteers have played a huge role in our community’s ability to make it through this devastating year,” said Mayor John Hamilton.  “With their big hearts and strong shoulders, Bloomingtonians have been there for each other.  Now is a fantastic time to salute these noble, visionary, and generous friends and neighbors.”

Nominations may be submitted by members of the general public, community organizations, or businesses. Awards are made in five categories including Lifetime of Service (honoring an individual over age 60), Community Impact (honoring an individual or group), Youth (honoring a volunteer under the age of 21), Engagement Professionals (honoring a volunteer program within an organization), and Community Collaboration (excellence in engagement response to the issues of 2020).  Each of the five Be More Award recipients will receive a $1,000 award provided by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County for the recipient's nonprofit organization in honor of their outstanding service. 

An additional category without a cash award will be available this year honoring a business operating locally in Monroe County for excellence in community engagement. This award recognizes a for-profit entity that has contributed time or talent to the community in the past year and demonstrated community impact and goodwill.  A complete list of categories is available at the Bloomington Volunteer Network website BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org/bemore, where profiles of the 2020 award recipients and nominees, together with links to ongoing volunteer opportunities are posted.

The 2021 Be More Award recipients will be revealed in a virtual ceremony hosted at BloomingtonVolunteerNetwork.org/bemore and streamed live on the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network’s Facebook page on Thursday, April 22, during National Volunteer Week. Event co-sponsors include the IU Credit Union, the United Way of Monroe County, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, and WTIU Public Television.  

“This has been an extraordinary year of giving and engagement in our community and the Be More Awards give every one of us the opportunity to say thank you to a community volunteer, engagement professional, or community-minded business by submitting a nomination,” said Lucy Schaich, director of the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network. “Taking the time to acknowledge and express gratitude to the many community members who give so generously of their time and talents is a great way to shine a spotlight on how essential the role of volunteers is in our community.”