The deadline to nominate for the Comox Valley’s annual community awards is today (Friday) at 4 p.m.

The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is especially looking for Local Hero Award nominations.

This new award — sponsored by St. John Ambulance — recognizes a person who, within the past year, has saved a life, extended a life through immediate actions like first aid, or has gone beyond basic safety requirements at work to ensure a safe environment.

Nominees for this award must be a resident of the Comox Valley. They can be in a paid position, provided that medical first response is not the paid position or primary occupation. The 2009 award timeframe will extend beyond the one-year timeframe, as it is the first award.

Nominations received to date are:

Citizen of the Year ~ sponsored by Canadian Tire

•Peter Quatrale

•Sandra Gallaway

•Paul Berry

•Bent Harder

Business of the Year ~ sponsored by Thrifty Foods

•My Tech Guys

New Business of the Year ~ sponsored by Presley & Partners

•Locals Restaurant

•Solutions for Seniors Eldercare Planning

•Comox Valley Bakehouse

•Swinkey Golf Inc.

Small Business of the Year ~ sponsored by Glacierview Financial Services

•Sound Security

•Brian Kruse School of Dance

•Phantom Screens

•Delaney Relocation Services

Agricultural Business of the Year ~ sponsored by Meyers Norris Penny

•BC Shellfish Growers’ Association

Professional Merit Award ~ sponsored by the Best Western Plus

•Bob Wells

•Helen Boyd

•Sherry Bruce-Marshall (posthumous)

•Meaghan Cursons

Customer Service Award ~ sponsored by The Kingfisher Resort & Spa

•Kristie Persinger (̨ÍåMMÂãÁÄÊÒ Community Credit Union)

•Bob Wells (My Tech Guys)

•Louise Taylor (Watson & Ash)

•Vanessa Wilson (Old House Village Hotel & Spa)

Environmental Initiative Award ~ sponsored by The Comox Valley Regional District

•First Curbside Recycling

•George Harrison

Heritage Recognition Award ~ sponsored by Vancouver Island InsuranceCentres

•Canada Safeway

There is a paper-based and an online nomination form available. Both can be found at www.comoxvalleychamber.com/Nominations.

— Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce