The Chattanooga Times Free Press, First Tennessee and WRCB TV have partnered to announce the return of one of Chattanooga's most coveted awards, The Jefferson Awards, which honor and inspire volunteerism throughout the community.
The award honors "everyday citizens who do incredible things in a totally unselfish manner."
The winner of Chattanooga's Jefferson Awards will attend the national awards program in Washington, D.C., in spring 2011.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity for our city to praise the best of our volunteers and to thank them for all they do in making our community a better place to live," Chattanooga Times Free Press President Jason Taylor said. "The Times Free Press is prepared to honor these individuals in very special ways throughout the upcoming year and we are excited to be able to share these stories with our readers."
WRCB General Manager Tom Tolar said the newspaper and television station will feature volunteer stories on broadcasts, in print in the daily newspaper and monthly Chatter Magazine as well as on the news outlets' websites.
"We are thrilled to honor our community's outstanding volunteers," he said. "The stories will remain on our sites throughout the year, but the impact made by these remarkable individuals is something that will stay with all of us."
Once the nomination process closes next March, a committee will select five honorees whose stories will be submitted to The Jefferson Awards officials in Washington.
Jefferson AwardsNominations are being accepted online by visiting www.TimesFreePress.com or www.WRCBTV.com or by visiting any branch of First Tennessee.Nominations will close on March 1, 2011.
Later that month, the Times Free Press, First Tennessee and WRCB will host the Jefferson Awards banquet at which time the local honoree will go on to represent Chattanooga at the national Jefferson Awards ceremony in Washington.
"First Tennessee believes in powering the dreams of our customers and our community," First Tennessee President Frank Schriner said. "We know that whoever wins the 2011 Jefferson Awards will be empowered to do even more for the special place we all call home. It is truly an honor for us to be a part of something so significant for our community."