Kury: 25 years of honoring care in our community

As the Chair of the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners, I have the honor of immersing myself in a community that I cherish. Not a day goes by that I don’t encounter people in the community who are giving back in meaningful ways. There are some we have all heard of, the ones who hold important positions on volunteer boards or whose names appear in frequent letters to the editor in local papers. It’s the people who we don’t hear about that the Pitkin County Cares Volunteer Service, and Greg Mace Awards was created to elevate.

Now in its 25th year, this recognition program was established to honor individuals and groups for their service, leadership, and civic involvement. My fellow commissioners and I agree that this is one our most moving and rewarding meetings of the year because we meet and celebrate our community’s unsung heroes.

We are currently seeking nominations in several categories: Greg Mace, for life-long volunteerism; Seniors; Health; Arts; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Education; Good Samaritan; Environment; Local Civics; and Rising Stars, for volunteers age 18 and under.

Consider people you know who make and deliver meals to the homebound, build trails or pull weeds in the backcountry, help senior citizens navigate the internet, assist students with their college applications, pick up trash in public places, serve on advisory boards that shape our community, or young people already making a difference.

We will recognize recipients at a community event in mid-September where we will celebrate their efforts and the ways they’ve strengthened our community.

Please consider nominating someone that you know to be a cherished community volunteer between now and the deadline of July 26. Nominations can be made online at pitkincounty.com/cares.

Kelly McNicholas Kury
Chair, Pitkin County Board of Commissioners