Nominations are being accepted for the 2015 Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards.
"The Statesboro Herald and other sponsors need the public's help in identifying those in the community who make so many contributions to the lives of others," said Joe McGlamery, the president of the Statesboro Herald, which hosts the Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards.
The 27th annual invitation-only gala will be held Tuesday, April 7, at Georgia Southern University's Nessmith-Lane Conference Center.
Nomination forms may be found in the Statesboro Herald, or online at www.statesboroherald.com/deendaysmith. The deadline for nominations is 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Nominations should be of persons who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to helping others. Nominees should reflect a spirit of giving and compassion and made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
Since the awards were established in 1989, more than 700 Bulloch County residents have been recognized with Deen Day Smith Service to Mankind Awards.
Nominees are "folks who work quietly behind the scenes of organizations, churches and community groups" and are "dedicated to making the lives of all they touch better," McGlamery said. Everyone knows someone who fits this description. "Please think about the neighbors and friends you know in our generous community who make a difference without seeking the spotlight," he said. "Those are the folks that make wonderful nominations for a Service to Mankind Award."
Historically, Deen Day Service to Mankind Award recipients are "benevolent persons who place others before themselves and perform acts of kindness for the sake of the recipient and not for personal gain," he said.
Also, the awards program will recognize several lifetime achievement recipients who have demonstrated a long term commitment to helping others. The Statesboro Herald, in addition to hosting the gala, also sponsors the Humanitarian of the Year award, who is named during the awards ceremony.
The speaker for the banquet will be announced at a later date.