Suffolk News-Herald

The Rotary Club of Suffolk currently has available applications to nominate a person for the distinguished honor as &uot;Suffolk’s First Citizen,&uot; an award that recognizes individuals for exceptional service to this community.

According to the event’s Co-chairman, John Harrell, the candidate for First Citizen should be someone active in civic affairs as well as one who shows genuine concern for the needs and welfare of others.

Forms for nominees can be picked up at the Suffolk Visitor’s Center at 321 N. Main St.; or from one of BB&T Bank’s main office at 1525 N. Main Street, or one of the branches at 1512 Holland Road, or 101 E. Washington Street. The deadline for accepting applications is January 30, and they should be mailed to the Suffolk Rotary Club, P.O. Box 1972, Suffolk, VA

23439.

The tradition of honoring a First Citizen began in 1956 when the Suffolk Cosmopolitan Club initiated the program. When the Cosmopolitans disbanded, the Suffolk Rotary Club stepped in because they believe the program is of great importance to the city.

Suffolk’s First Citizen will be honored at a banquet on Feb. 17, at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy cafetorium at 6 p.m. The event is expected to be a grand affair with music by Walter Noona, dinner and recognition of the First Citizen.

The Rotary Club is also asking for sponsors for the banquet. Sponsorship levels range from Bronze – $50, Silver – $100, Gold – $150 to Platinum – $250, all of which include tickets for the event. All sponsorship proceeds go to the Suffolk Rotary Club Charity Fund and are tax deductible. Rotary provides funding for six scholarships to local students each year, and they support many organizations including the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless, United Way of Suffolk, the Cheer Fund, the YMCA Chorus of Suffolk, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Suffolk Youth Athletic Association, the Salvation Army, Suffolk Crime Line, Meals on Wheels and many others.