Volunteer commitments made by people in the community can often go unnoticed.

For more than 50 years the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry has been highlighting those commitments with its Community Service Award.

And they’re looking for nominations for 2021.

“This award dates to 1969 and I believe it really helps to show and encourage community spirit, and the importance of giving back to one’s community,” John Papalia, the WCCBI’s director of chamber operations and tourism, said.

There are a series of criteria for prospective awardees to meet: residence in Warren County for at least 10 years, that the contributions are not tied to a person’s professional obligations and that there “is a reasonable expectation that the candidate will remain in Warren County following receipt of the award in order to provide continuity, inspiration and positive example,” according to the Chamber.

The award is aimed to highlight people that will continue to serve in the community as well as those that will “keep the award prestigious in nature and a compliment to past recipients.”

The award was first presented to Judge Alexander Flick and has been awarded every year except 1975 and 2020.

Recipients since 2019 include Pat Evans, John Hanna, Linda Keverline, Murray McComas, Bob SOkolski, Olivia Sechriest, Jean Walker, Dan Glotz, Lincoln Sokolski and Thad Turner.

“The recipients over the years are people who certainly go above and beyond to serve their community annually,” Papalia said. “Each year the award helps to highlight the hours and service people put in to make Warren County a wonderful place to live. The annual award helps to honor all those who serve or have served our community.”

Nominations can be made by individuals or by organizations and should be sent to Papalia by email at jpapalia@wccbi.org, faxed to (814) 723-6024 or mailed to 308 Market St., Warren, no later than Oct. 1.

“The selection committee which is made up of past winners is tasked with narrowing the nominations to just one annual winner, which can be a difficult task as our area is rich with individuals who work to better our community,” Papalia explained.