Alberta Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award Launches for 2013

Program to award $10,000 to volunteerism across Alberta

CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Direct Energy and the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA) invite Albertans to help recognize our Province's tremendous volunteer spirit with the ninth annual Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award. Nominations are now being accepted and will close on Sunday, March 31, 2013.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121004/MM87276LOGO)

First introduced in Alberta in 2005, the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program is designed to recognize the significant efforts of individuals whose contributions make their communities a better place to live. As an extension of an existing Direct Energy program that encourages employees to volunteer their time and energy to causes or organizations in their local communities, the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award honors those individuals outside of the company who do just that.

"Direct Energy is proud to support the 2013 Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program and continue our partnership with the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association," said Tanis Kozak, vice-president and general manager, Direct Energy. "Year after year we are just amazed at some of the great nominations we receive from Albertans and this program is our way of recognizing the outstanding volunteer work that nominees do in their communities."

The award consists of:

• $1,000 cash prize to the winner;
• $5,000 cash grant to the winner's organization/cause of choice in their community;
• Recognition of the winner's achievement through a commemorative award, article and photo to be published in AWNA newspapers across Alberta;
• $1,000 cash grant to the four semi-finalists' organization/cause of choice in their communities;
• Recognition of the four semi-finalists through a commemorative award, article and photo to be published in their respective AWNA community papers.

"We're looking forward to once again recognizing individuals who work hard to make our communities great places to live," said AWNA president Murray Elliott. "The selfless actions of past winners like Penny Steffen of Grimshaw, Alberta often go unrewarded. This program is designed to showcase appreciation for their efforts. I invite AWNA member newspaper publishers, editors, and community leaders to nominate their outstanding volunteers for the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award."

The Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award is open to all residents of communities in the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association area. Individuals can either nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or group. Nominations should be no longer than 750 words and must detail the specific contributions the individual or group has made to improve the community through volunteer service. The nomination must also profile the designated organization and how it would use the $5,000 donation from Direct Energy.

Nominations must be submitted to the AWNA by March 31, 2013. A selection committee, formed of two representatives from the AWNA and two appointed by Direct Energy, will review award applications and select the finalists and winning individual or group.

Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award rules and details can be found online at www.awna.com or www.directenergy.com/vcoy-alberta, or can be picked up at AWNA member newspaper offices.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is North America's largest provider of heating & cooling, plumbing and electrical services and a leading energy and energy-related services provider with over six million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.

http://www.facebook.com/directenergy
http://www.twitter.com/directenergy
http://www.youtube.com/thedirectenergy
http://blog.directenergy.com/

About the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association

Alberta's community newspapers reflect the images, thoughts and everyday happenings of the communities they serve. While these communities may vary in size; from tiny, isolated locations to bustling suburban centres, they share one important feature - a strong weekly newspaper. Today there are 118 member newspapers throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories. They boast a combined circulation of 900,460. The smallest newspaper circulates 443 copies each week; the largest - 127,593. We are part of a Canada-wide network of community newspapers through the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA). Together with six other provincial associations, we represent nearly 650 newspapers.

SOURCE: Direct Energy

Jeff Lanthier, Direct Energy, [phone] - Office, [phone] - Mobile, [email protected]

http://www.directenergy.com

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121004/MM87276LOGO

PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]