Hometown Heroes Nominations for 2008

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Planning is underway for The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala, benefiting Interfaith of The Woodlands, and beginning Thursday, June 26, 2008, the community may nominate a deserving individual or business/institution to be a 2008 Hometown Hero.

“Each year during The Woodlands Celebration of Excellence Gala, four individuals and one business are inducted into the Hometown Heroes Hall of Fame,” shared Dr. Ann Snyder, Executive Director of Interfaith. “Each recipient is dedicated to The Woodlands and is truly a positive role model for volunteerism.”

The 2008 Hometown Heroes will be honored during the Celebration of Excellence Gala, to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Since this annual tradition began in 1999, 71 individuals and five businesses have been selected to receive this prestigious award. A Selection Committee of former Hometown Heroes will select the five honorees for 2008.

Nomination forms are available in The Villager newspaper; at The Woodlands Homefinder Center, located at 2000 Woodlands Parkway; Interfaith of The Woodlands, located at 4242 Woodrush Drive; or online at The Woodlands Development Company's Web site. The deadline for the nomination is Friday, August 15, 2008.

All nominees must be current residents of The Woodlands or businesses/institutions based in The Woodlands. Completed nomination forms should be mailed to:

Hometown Heroes Selection Committee
The Woodlands Homefinder Center
P.O. Box 5050
The Woodlands, Texas 77387-5050.

Forms can also be faxed to 281-719-6159.

The public should consider the following criteria when nominating individuals or businesses for the honor of Hometown Hero:

• Positive role model
• History of volunteerism
• Sacrificing personal gain to achieve noble goals
• Special awards and recognitions
• Brought positive recognition to The Woodlands
• Embodies the values of The Woodlands community, i.e. family values, the importance of education, the arts and culture, environmental consciousness
• Economic contributions to the community
• Leadership and courage
• Consistent dedication and commitment to worthy causes
• Representative of the diversity within the community
• Spiritual leadership
• Dedication to public service