NORTHAMPTON — The Daily Hampshire Gazette is accepting nominations for its three annual awards bestowed on people who are making a positive difference in the area, with two awards being open to Franklin County residents for the first time.
The awards are the Person of the Year Award, the Young Community Leader Award and the Frances Crowe Award, and they are being given out in partnership with the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region and the Gazette’s sister paper, the Greenfield Recorder.
“The Gazette has been a leader in Hampshire County for 236 years,” said Shawn Palmer, publisher of the Gazette and Recorder. “I’m proud that we have partnered with another local institution, the United Way, to recognize and shine a light on individuals exhibiting leadership in the community in many different ways.”
Nominations must be received by Friday, April 29, and can be submitted online at gazettenet.com.
The Young Community Leader Award recognizes a person between the ages of 15 and 22 who has contributed to the region through community involvement and volunteerism. Residents of both Franklin and Hampshire counties are eligible. A $250 prize is given to the winner, split between themselves and a charity of their choice. The award premiered in 2017, and its past winners include Elena Frogameni, Allison Jenks and Christian Ciolkos.
The Frances Crowe Award is the Gazette’s most recent award, and honors the work of the late peace and environmental activist Frances Crowe. It goes to a person or organization in Franklin County or Hampshire County that represents the essence of Frances Crowe’s legacy, with a documented history of inspiring the next generation of changemakers. The prize for the Frances Crowe Award is $500 donated to a cause of the winner’s choice. The award premiered in 2020, and its recipients have been Ruthy Woodring and Marty Nathan.
This is the first year that both the France Crowe Award and the Young Community Leader Award have expanded eligibility to the residents of Franklin County.
The Person of the Year Award honors a resident of Hampshire County for going above and beyond in making the valley a better place. It is the oldest of the Gazette’s annual awards and premiered in 2015. Some past recipients include Barbara Black, Jack Finn and Frances Crowe. Crowe won the award the year she died. The winner of the award will receive $500, split between themselves and a charity of their choice.
For Franklin County residents, the Greenfield Recorder presents a Citizen of the Year Award annually with the same prize.
“I hope that by highlighting those among us who are leading change through their own efforts, we will inspire others to do the same,” Palmer said.
Judging for the awards is done by a committee made up of representatives of the Gazette, Recorder, the United Way, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and community leaders.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.