ZELIENOPLE — Starting in 2015 the borough is looking to recognize a dedicated volunteer who has made a difference in the community.

The borough is accepting nominations for the first Borough Volunteer of the Year award.

The borough recently sent out a letter and nomination form to community organizations and churches seeking nominations.

“It’s something I thought was appropriate for the hard-working volunteers the borough would probably cease to exist without,” said Allen Bayer, borough council president.

Council will consider the nominations and select one award winner.

It will accept nominations until Jan. 9 and plans to make the award at the firefighter’s banquet on Jan. 31.

The nomination form asks for the person’s name, what organization he volunteers with, how long he has been volunteering and a testimonial explaining why he is worthy of the award. It is not restricted to borough residents, but is intended to honor candidates who volunteer in the borough.

Bayer said he hopes the call for nominations is well received because the borough has a number of volunteers who are worthy of recognition.

“We have volunteers that go back decades. It’s amazing what some of these people have done over the years,” Bayer said.

Bayer said he helped with a similar award when he was involved with a parks and recreation council in Baltimore.

The process of choosing just one person for the award can be challenging, he said.

“Typically it’s very, very difficult, very painful. It’s unbelievable, even the ones you’re not aware of that might be behind the scenes and then they are brought to the forefront and you say, ‘oh my goodness, I didn’t even know about this.’”

To get a nomination form, visit zelieboro.org or call the borough office at 724-452-6610.