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The seventh annual Nebraska Military Volunteer of the Year award recognizes one adult and one youth who dedicate their time to the betterment of the community. Spirit of America Federal Credit Union (SAFCU) and Cara Loken, 2016 Armed Forces Insurance National Guard Spouse of the Year and Scheels Hero of the Year for Nebraska, have partnered to identify those individuals who are demonstrating a commitment to civic engagement through philanthropic activities. This service can be displayed in a myriad of ways to include volunteering for the military community, civic organizations, nonprofit entities, or through informal ways that impact the lives of others. Nominations for this award must be received no later than Sunday, March 12, 2023, by midnight Central Standard Time.

 

If you choose to download button below, please email completed form to: heartsforhealing2016@gmail.com.

 

CRITERIA

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To be eligible for this award, nominee must:

• Be a military member, retiree, spouse, dependent child, or family member of a Nebraska Military member able to provide proof of service,

• Be stationed or live in the state of Nebraska,

• If applying for the youth award, nominee must be 18 years or younger, or,

• If applying for the adult award, nominee must be 19 years or older.

 

THOSE NOT ELIGIBLE INCLUDE:​

 

• A military spouse no longer married at the time of the award.

• Previous winners are not eligible for five years from that date of last received award.

 

THE NOMINATION PROCESS

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• Nominations due March 12, 2023

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• Introduce Nominees March 15, 2023

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• Additional information due March 18, 2023

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• Winners announced April 1, 2023

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• Winners officially recognized April 18th, at Hillcrest Country Club during Spirit of America Federal Credit Union's Annual Meeting

 

 

NOMINATION INFORMATION

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• Each nomination must include a Nomination Form and a Letter of Support for each nominee.

• High-resolution photo attached

• Supplemental materials may include but may not exceed five pages.

  • Examples include letters of recommendation, testimonials, news clippings, etc.

  • These inclusions should be on activities included in the narrative, but can explain further on a single effort if the nominee does multiple activities.

  • Materials must be no larger than 8.5” X 11”. Please do not submit videos, display materials, scrapbooks, etc.

• Judges may know nothing about the nominee, so “sell” the judges on why your nominee should win. Give specific examples, personal comments and include quotes.

• Receipt of Nomination Form will be acknowledged via email.

• Incomplete Nomination Forms and/or incorrect Letters of Support will not be judged.

 

LETTERS OF SUPPORT- Youth 500 Words Maximum (1 page)

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• Activity – Briefly state the nominee’s responsibilities. Include level of involvement, hours (if possible) and years.

• Impact- Be specific. What difference has this nominee made in BOTH the military community and community? What changed? Who was affected and how?

• Mission accomplished – How has the individual met expectations for being a volunteer? How have they gone above and beyond?

• School – Make sure to include school accomplishments.

 

LETTERS OF SUPPORT- Adult 700 Words Maximum (2 page)

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• Activity – Briefly state the nominee’s responsibilities. Include level of involvement, hours (if possible) and years.

• Impact- Be specific. What difference has this nominee made in BOTH the military community and community? What changed? Who was affected and how?

• Mission accomplished – How has the individual met expectations for being a volunteer? How have they gone above and beyond?

 

TAKE NOTE

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• Type in 12-pt font or neatly print the information.

• All materials and photos submitted become the property of the Nebraska Military Volunteer of the Year Award and will not be returned.

• Nominee’ names, photos and nominator information become property of Nebraska Military Volunteer of the Year Award and available for use to media sources and through SAFCU media sites, unless the Nebraska Military Volunteer of the Year Award receives written notification stating otherwise. No personal information will be given out other than names and age (youth).

 

AWARD TIMELINE

 

Award winners will be named on April 1, 2023, in conjunction with Volunteer Appreciation Month. On April 18, 2023, both awardees will be officially recognized at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Spirit of America Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting. The event will include an award presentation, flowers, gifts, and a monetary award of $100 for the adult awardee and $50 for the youth awardee that will be deposited into a SAFCU savings/share account. Additionally, the adult awardee will receive one guest ticket and the youth awardee will receive two guest tickets.