"Be More" Awards To Recognize Local Volunteers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Bet Savich, Coordinator, City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, 349-3472
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov




Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network and its partners invite Bloomington and Monroe [image:4586,right]County residents to the "Be More" Awards, a community-wide celebration of volunteerism on Tuesday, Apr. 21, from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Kirkwood Ave.

More than 100 volunteers have been nominated for awards in nine categories. Each award will be presented by a different community member, including Mayor Mark Kruzan, IU Dean of Students Dick McKaig, WTIU's The Friday Zone host Katie Sullivan and former Judge Viola Taliaferro. WTIU's Ann Shea will be the Mistress of Ceremonies.

The award categories are: Be More Collaborative (group or family), Be More Creative (arts & culture), Be More Phenomenal (board member), Be More Involved (college student), Be More Energized (youth), Be More Knowledgeable (education & literacy), Be More Sustainable (environmental or animal welfare), Be More Dedicated (lifetime of service) and Be More Bloomington (overall excellence). The evening will feature the announcement of the nine awards along with great stories, inspirational photos, incredible people and their extraordinary efforts to make our community the best it can be.

The Volunteer Network has showcased community volunteerism through a variety of programs since its inception in 1980. The mission of the nationally recognized, award winning Be More Awards, a trademarked program of PBS, is to generate awareness for nonprofit organizations, champion those organizations' unsung heroes and celebrate the spirit of goodwill throughout the community.

The Be More Awards are produced by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network in partnership with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the United Way of Monroe County and WTIU Public Television.

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