Florida Today is accepting nominations through Oct. 11 for its annual Volunteer Recognition Awards, which honor individuals and groups making an impact across Brevard County. The awards include categories like Volunteer of the Year, Organization of the Year, Business of the Year, and the Michael J. Coleman Citizen of the Year Legacy Award. Winners will be announced at a Dec. 10 ceremony at the Bernard Simpkins Fine Arts Center at Eastern Florida State College.
Past winners say the awards highlight community efforts that often go unnoticed. Nominees range from people feeding the homeless to tutors helping at-risk students and volunteers who donate thousands to local causes. George Trossett, founder of Surfing Santas, is one example. His group dons Santa outfits on Cocoa Beach’s Christmas Eve to raise funds for the Florida Surf Museum and Grind for Life, a nonprofit aiding cancer patients with transportation.
The Michael J. Coleman Citizen of the Year Legacy Award honors the late publisher who championed volunteerism. Finalists in all categories will be notified the week of Nov. 3. The ceremony is invitation-only, with winners celebrated in front of peers and community leaders.
Nominations can be submitted online through Oct. 11. The awards aim to spotlight efforts that strengthen Brevard’s social fabric, from senior care to environmental preservation. Last year’s honorees included a group that renovated homes for veterans and an organization providing free legal aid to low-income residents.