Who will be the Volunteer of the Year?

Albert Lea’s mayor has started a new program to honor achievements by the city’s residents. 

Nominations will be taken throughout the year through Dec. 1, and an awards ceremony will be held mid-December to recognize the winners.

“I think it’s good to recognize people who dedicate time and effort to their community to make it a better place to be,” Mayor Vern Rasmussen said.

The categories of recognition will be the following:

• Volunteer of the Year

• Services by Senior Citizen

• Human Services

• Good Neighbor

• Mayor’s Choice

Rasmussen said he had heard of other communities with a similar program and thought it would be a neat thing to try in Albert Lea.

“We have a lot of people putting in a lot of time volunteering,” he said.

Nomination forms and more information on the criteria can be found on the city’s website at www.cityofalbertlea.org under the “Government” tab.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee.

People with questions can call 377-4330.