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Applications being accepted for civic awards

By CHUCK BALLARO - | Oct 18, 2021

Last year, the North Fort Myers Civic Association began to recognize area residents who have made an impact to their communities.

Now, area residents have the opportunity to nominate someone they believe deserves to be recognized for their service to the area, even if their work goes unrecognized.

The North Fort Myers Community Service Awards Program is accepting nominations now through the end of the year on Dec. 31.

Christy-Lee Iwanow, vice president of the NFMCA, said nominations are starting a little early this year.

“We had a lot of people enter last year and we wanted to get the advertising out there,” Iwanow said. “There are people who don’t get noticed a lot and anybody can nominate anybody.”

The awards program was created by Doug Dailey, who was president at the time, and he wanted to do something in the memory of Tom Cronin, the late owner of the Shell Factory & Nature Park and great contributor to the community.

“He wanted to have a person of the year award, for the women, men and other good-deed doers with the Community Service Medals,” Iwanow said. “He wanted to bring that elegance into North Fort Myers and as we build this program, we can have it where it can be a black-tie event at an actual venue.”

There is the Tom Cronin Award, which goes to any individual or business owner who has done good in the community. John Gardner was the winner last year.

The Cheryl Diamond Award goes to the Woman of the Year, named after the first female president of the civic association. Linda Yorde, who was instrumental in getting the new North Fort Myers Library built, was the winner last year.

Last year’s Pioneer Award went to Ron Hoover, who started the North Fort Myers High School football program.

The winner and the person who nominated the winner will be invited to an awards ceremony. Last year’s event was held in the recreation center gym in February because of COVID on the same night as the NFMCA elections.

Iwanow said they hope they can do something a little more formal this time around so they can enjoy the evening. A location and date have not been determined.

You can access the nomination form online at https://nfmcivic.com/community-service-award-program/ .