New this year, Mayor Vern Rasmussen, Jr., will implement a “Mayor’s Community Service Awards Program” in the city of Albert Lea.

The program will honor outstanding achievements by citizens in five categories that include Volunteer of the Year, Services by Senior Citizens, Human Services, Good Neighbor and Mayor’s Choice.

Nominations are accepted and will be due in the mayor’s office by Dec. 1. An awards ceremony will be mid-December.

Nomination forms can be found in the city manager’s office and on the city’s website, cityofalbertlea.org/mayors-community-service-awards.

To qualify for the Volunteer of the Year Award, a nominee should sustain and promote creative endeavors in an organization who has also shown outstanding dedication through projects and service this calendar year. Examples include, but are not limited to, church, 4-H, music, theater, school and civic groups.

To qualify for the Services by Senior Citizens Award, a nominee should be a senior citizen who demonstrates exemplary service among peers, engages in creative endeavors and promotion of health, economic and other issues responding to the needs of senior citizens.

To qualify for the Human Services Award, a nominee should be an individual providing humanitarian services to others, a person devoted to promoting the welfare of humanity — especially through the elimination of pain and suffering, or a philanthropist.

To qualify for the Good Neighbor Award, a nominee should be a neighbor who has on many occasions offered help, understanding, cheer, comfort or consolation in time of need.

The recipient of the Mayor’s Award will be determined by the mayor.

For more information call 507-377-4330.