Lake Area United Way seeking nominations for 4th Annual STAR Awards

The 2019 STAR awards are approaching quickly. STAR, which stands for Serving Together Achieves Results, offers local non-profits, community organizations and the faith-based community the opportunity to recognize the initiatives, employees and volunteers that are making a difference in Lake County. Awards are categorized at the individual and organizational levels. The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 3^rd from 6-8pm at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster (1040 Ridge Rd.). The ceremony will start at 6pm followed immediately by a reception honoring the winners. The event is free, however attendees must register online at www.lauw.org. Nominations can also be made by visiting the same site. A description of each award can be found there as well. Nominations are due by Friday, November 8^th.

Individual awards include:

• The Shooting Star Award will be presented to volunteers whose efforts on behalf of a nonprofit or faith-based organization deserve recognition.
• The Unsung Hero Award will be presented to an individual, volunteer or staff member, whose behind-the-scenes work has provided a tremendous impact on the service work taking place in Lake County.
• The Mega Star Award will be presented to an individual with special needs who works as a volunteer or staff member whose efforts benefit the organization and the community.
• The Rising Star Award will be presented to a youth or youth group who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to give back to the community. This can include outstanding volunteer work or efforts to help an individual, a specific population, or their community as a whole.
• The Heart of Service Award will be presented to a staff member that consistently provides superior service and genuine care to clients and the community. Client-facing staff including case managers, social workers and support staff should be considered for this award.
• The Legacy Award will be presented to an individual whose contributions and service work on behalf of an organization have left an indelible mark on Lake County.
• The Rock Star of the Year Award will be presented to a volunteer that consistently exceeds expectations and duties and whose work on behalf of a nonprofit or faith-based organization have a proven impact.
• The Trailblazer Award will be presented to an individual staff member that has blazed a trail for others to follow by making, doing or discovering something new and is considered a leader in their particular field. 

Organizational awards include:

• The Shining Star Award will be presented to a non-profit demonstrating superior performance in all aspects of nonprofit management, community engagement and service.
• The Compassion in Action Award will be presented to a faith-based organization demonstrating servant leadership through community engagement and service. The ten characteristics that exemplify servant leadership are listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people and building community.
• The Best Volunteer Management Program Award will be presented to an organization that utilizes best practices for volunteer management, resulting in the success of the overall program. Organizations are encouraged to self-nominate for this award.
• The Best Volunteer Event Award will be presented to a nonprofit or faith-based organization for an exceptional volunteer event. The community at large is encouraged to nominate an organization for a volunteer event or series of events.
• The Collaborative Effort Award will be presented to organizations demonstrating the best collaborative initiative or event. Collaboration is the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a shared task or achieve a shared goal.
• The Best Marketing Campaign or Event Award will be presented to an organization for whose use of creative ideas, efforts or strategies results in an exceptional, unique or original marketing campaign or event.
• The Grassroots Initiative of the Year Award will be presented to an organization using collective action at the local level to affect change. Grassroots initiatives are innovative networks of activists and/or organizations that lead bottom-up solutions for sustainable development, providing solutions that respond to local situations and the interests and values of the communities involved.
• The Innovation Award will be presented to an organization that identifies a new method, product and/or initiative to serve individuals or communities in need.

For more information about the event or issues submitting a nomination please reach out to Megan Sikes, Community Engagement Manager, at msikes@lauw.org or 219-923-2302 ext. 311.