By MUSA News Staff

The Middletown Community Foundation is seeking nominations this month for two of its annual community volunteer awards. Nominations, in the form of an essay, are due by Sept. 30.

The Mary Jane Palmer-Nunlist “I Love Middletown” Award, being presented for the fourth year, honors the community’s “unsung heroes” who make significant contributions to Middletown’s quality of life but are otherwise not publicly recognized for their efforts. Previous recipients were Light Up Middletown’s “Grandpa Gang,” Betty Lou Nein and last year’s honoree, Ginger Bruggeman.

The award was created in memory of community cheerleader Palmer-Nunlist, founder and owner of Palmer Temps, following her death from cancer in December 2007. Individuals, groups of individuals or organizations are eligible for the honor.

The Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Mary Maurer Fund and in its 15th year of presentation, recognizes community volunteers between 30 and 50 years of age who show the generosity of time and spirit in giving back to the greater Middletown community. Last year’s honoree, Maria Langedorf, was recognized for her work with TV Middletown, the Ohio Challenge, Greekfest and more. Other previous honorees include Jackie Phillips, Sue Rogers, Kip Moore, David Pearce and Rod Nimtz.

This award was created by Maurer to recognize the “younger generation” of volunteers who have led successful non-fundraising volunteer projects, had a long history of volunteer service or have shown particular courage and determination in a subject area.

Each award recipient will be publicly recognized at the Middletown Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting to be held Nov. 10 at Savannah Center in West Chester and in its 2011 Annual Report to be published in early 2012. In addition, an organization associated with the honoree receives a cash prize. Last year, the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expansion project in partnership with Women Living United received a $1,000 contribution from the Mary Jane Palmer Nunlist “I Love Middletown” Award Fund in honor of Bruggeman, and the Friends of the Library received a $500 contribution from the Mary Maurer Fund in honor of Langendorf.

“Having the opportunity to shine the light on our community’s most valuable resources, people who care deeply about making this a better place to live, is a true highlight of our Annual Meeting, which is even more special this year being our 25th anniversary gala” said Middletown Community Foundation Executive Director T. Duane Gordon. “We’re so privileged to have the chance to recognize these outstanding individuals and organizations publicly and thank them for their contributions to society.”

To nominate an outstanding volunteer, individuals may send a letter explaining why this person should receive the award to the Mary Jane Palmer Nunlist “I Love Middletown” Award Committee or Mary Maurer Volunteer of the Year Award Committee in care of the Middletown Community Foundation at 300 North Main Street, Suite 300, Middletown, OH 45042.

Essays should include the nominee’s address and phone number as well as a brief description of their volunteer leadership or service. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30, and they may also be submitted by via e-mail to info@mcfoundation.org or by fax to 513-424-7555. Call 513-424-7369 for more information.