Because thousands of hours of volunteer service go unrecognized each year, the Ashburn Rotary has decided to recognize dedicated community leaders with a Citizen of the Year award. 

Recipients will be chosen from nominations submitted by club members. Rotarians are excluded from consideration for the award, which is intended to honor an individual who has stood out among the many unsung heroes in Ashburn serving children, schools, public safety, land use, transportation, the environment and other areas. 

The Ashburn Rotary Citizen of the Year will receive a District Governor Citation and will be nominated at the district level. The Rotary District 7610 Citizen of the Year will be invited to the District Foundation Awards banquet in November 2012 and receive Paul Harris Fellow Recognition. Nominations are due by October 18, 2012. More information, including the nomination criteria, can be found on the Ashburn Rotary website.

Giving back to the community doesn’t just include volunteering your time and donating money; residents can give blood too: the club has planned a blood drive from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Ashburn Library. Stop by or schedule a donation time online at https://www.inovabloodsaves.org. The blood donation process takes about an hour.