Nominations are officially open for the Telluride Foundation’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the award, which recognizes community members who unselfishly contribute to the improvement of the local region through volunteerism, community service or philanthropy. The award aims to recognize local heroes who consistently donate their time and energy to important causes that have a positive impact on quality of life in the region.
Community and nonprofit leaders are encouraged to think about the people who are making an impact, specifically those who are working in an unpaid capacity on important issues that the region faces.
Telluride Foundation representatives agree that one of the things that makes this region so special is its strong sense of community responsibility and philanthropy. There are countless individuals donating their time and energy to address challenges in health, human services, environment, education, arts and culture, athletics and more. Now there is a call to support the Telluride Foundation’s efforts to recognize these superstars by submitting a nomination.
“The Volunteer of the Year Award is a celebration of people and their impact on our community,” said Telluride Foundation President and CEO, Jason Corzine. “We really want to encourage community and nonprofit leaders, as well as all residents, to think about the people who are making a difference in your life and your community. We hope you will consider nominating them and helping to give them the recognition they deserve.”
Award winners will receive a $5,000 grant from the Telluride Foundation to be given in their name to a regional nonprofit of their choice. A community celebration will also be held in October to honor the winners.
The 2024 Volunteer of the Year will share this honor with Terry Tice (2003), Lissa Margetts (2004), John Micetic (2005), Bill Carstens (2006), John Pryor and Jane Hickcox (2007), Kathy Green (2008), Marilyn Branch (2009), Dan and Greer Garner with Andrea Benda (2010), Billy “Senior” Mahoney (2011), Anne Brady (2012), Dean Rolley (2013), Kristin Holbrook (2014), Gary Freedman (2015), Elaine Fischer (2016), Wendy Brooks (2017), Susan Rice (2018), Barb Gross (2019), San Miguel County Search and Rescue (2020) and the Ouray County Good Neighbor Fund Founders: Cat & Barthold Lichtenbelt and Marti & Partick O’Leary (2020), Corinne Cavender and Lollie Lavercombe with Cara Wilder (2021), Claudia Garcia Curzió and Julia Millan Avila with Andres Jacinto Alonzo (2022) and David Sussman (2023).
The nomination form is posted and must be submitted on the Telluride Foundation’s website at telluridefoundation.org/volunteer-of-the-year/. Nominations are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 16, and anyone is invited to nominate a fellow community member. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and interviews may be conducted to learn more about the nominees and bring to life their community contributions. Anyone with questions should contact Courtney Groves at courtney@telluridefoundation.org.
Nomination guidelines state that the nominee must be a community member within the Telluride Foundation’s service area, which includes San Miguel, Ouray, West Montrose counties and Rico; nominees will be selected based on unselfish and extraordinary contributions to the community that include volunteerism, collaboration, leadership and compassion.
Additionally, nominees in paid positions that represent these traits are eligible; however, the nomination must be based on their non-paid work. Telluride Foundation board members and staff are not eligible. The award is designed for a single individual; however, exceptions may be made, based on nominees.
