The COVID-19 pandemic, a siege that has disrupted families, businesses, schools, social services and more, has spurred the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce to launch a new initiative designed to honor everyday heroes.
Billed as Community Heroes of Venango County, the campaign is based on a belief that “the best approach to 2021 is one of gratitude and positive spirit,” said Susan Williams, president and CEO of the Oil City-based chamber.
“One of the most important things we do is recognize excellence when we see it,” said Williams. “So we want to recognize those who make this a better place to live.”
“We can’t bring people together but we still want to honor people and businesses that serve us so well,” said Williams. “That means our heroes can be individuals, a business owner, a friend, a fellow employee, an organization – anyone or anything that has positively impacted our community.”
How to nominate
The chamber has posted a nomination form online for the Community Heroes recognition at venangoheroes.org. The nominees will be featured in the chamber’s newsletter as well as on its website and other social media sources.
The postings will begin Jan. 15, and nominations will be accepted through mid-April.
The nominees must be located in Venango County and impacted the community within the last year in a positive way.
Nominations must be submitted with contact information and a photograph of the nominee.
“There are really no restrictions other than those,” said Williams. “But we would like people to put a face on those nominations, such as praising the ambulance service but making it personal with a face or faces of those workers. And then tell me why this person, this business, this organization stands out.”
While Williams anticipates many of the nominations will be based on acts of generosity and service related to the pandemic, that doesn’t have to be a criteria.
“Yes, people have done great things, overcoming obstacles, with COVID in the past year but many of them were probably doing those things before COVID. Now, we can spotlight that,” said Williams. “It can be someone at work, someone in your personal life, the neighbor – anybody who has gone beyond the typical to help the community.”
No winner will be chosen and there are no prizes associated with the Community Heroes program.
“Nope, none of that. We just want to the raise the spirit of the community while thanking those who are making it special,” said Williams.
