PORT TOWNSEND — Friends, admirers and business associates are invited to a reception this week where seven community heroes will be honored with the Jefferson County Heart of Service award for 2012.
The award honors the “dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments” of community leaders and volunteers “who have made a difference in Jefferson County, who have made our communities a better place by doing extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.”
This is the seventh year for the Heart of Service award, sponsored by the Peninsula Daily News, the Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.
The awards will be presented at a luncheon at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St. in downtown Port Townsend, at noon Tuesday.
The luncheon is open to the public, and admission is free.
Lunch costs $12 for soup, salad and a sandwich, and about $10 for soup and a salad.
The honorees are:
■ Judith Alexander of Port Town-send for her leadership in many environmental and community sustainability efforts, including Local 20/20, Citizens for Local Food and the Food Resiliency Action Group.
■ Melanie and Steve Bozak, a husband-and-wife duo that has been a driving force behind the Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival.
The couple also have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to the Jefferson County community through the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club.
■ Bob and Winona Prill of Quilcene, cited in nomination letters for their “goodness and generosity” and “patient and quiet leadership” with the Quilcene Food Bank, Quilcene Historical Museum, Quilcene Community Center, Quilcene Garden Club, Quilcene Fair and Parade Association, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County and many other organizations.
■ Anne Schneider of Port Townsend, whose “insight, vision, analytical skills, ability to organize procedures and skill in working harmoniously with others are what make her a true change agent” with nonprofits ranging from the Centrum board of directors and the Port Townsend chapter of the American Association of University Women to Working Image, Northwest Maritime Center and other groups.
■ Bill Wise, hands-on visionary co-founder and chairman of EDC Team Jefferson, the county’s public-private economic development organization.
A judging committee selected the seven Heart of Service recipients from more than two dozen nominations made by individuals, clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations.
“These are truly local heroes, working to make community life stronger, tighter, happier, richer — busy people who unselfishly give their time and energy to help others, who always seem to be able to make time to offer a hand or a shoulder,” said John Brewer, PDN publisher and editor.