Each year, The Herald-Dispatch presents five Citizen Awards, which recognize citizenship, volunteer efforts and accomplishments in business, athletics and the arts.

And the process starts with your nominations. Winners are profiled in the newspaper and also receive a $5,000 grant of promotional space in the newspaper that they can use to promote the charity or nonprofit of their choice.

Here are the categories:

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Established in 1987, this is the oldest of the newspaper's Citizen Awards. It is given to a Tri-State resident who has made a significant impact on the daily lives of people in our region.

BUSINESS INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR: The award was created in 1996 and is designed to be given to a Tri-State business person who has made a significant impact on the lives of area residents.

ZACK BINKLEY AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE: The award is given to a person whose volunteer service to the Tri-State area has made a significant impact on the lives of Tri-State residents or local community service groups.

THE LOWELL CADE SPORTS-PERSON OF THE YEAR: The award is given to a Tri-State athlete, coach or athletic official for outstanding athletic achievements and exemplary character off the field.

THE HERALD-DISPATCH AWARD FOR THE ARTS: Created in 2001, this award recognizes contributions to the arts or accomplishments in the field of arts in the Tri-State.

MAKE YOUR NOMINATION

To make a nomination for any of the Citizen Awards please send the following:

Nominee's name: How we can contact him or her (telephone number and/or e-mail address).

Your name: How we can contact you (telephone number and/or e-mail address).

Nomination: The name of the award the nomination is for and four paragraphs on why this person should be considered.

Deadline: Please have your nominations postmarked or e-mailed by Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Mail: Citizen Awards, The Herald-Dispatch, 946 5th Ave., Huntington, WV 25701.

E-mail: editor@herald- dispatch.com.

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