The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is seeking nominations for the British Columbia Community Achievement Awards — something nobody from the Upper Columbia Valley has ever won.

The foundation dates back to 2003 and the awards to 2004. According to the foundation’s executive director, Cathryn Wilson, both were started to give recognition to efforts across the province that were otherwise going unheralded.

“Really, the awards are a way to celebrate and honour individuals who make significant contributions to their communities across British Columbia,” Wilson told The Echo, adding that the recipients each year often include volunteers, youth leaders, senior leaders, civic workers or health-care workers.

“These awards are the heart and soul of the Foundation. We wanted to recognize the many great examples of community-building we have going on in our province.”

The number of award winners varies each year, but it is typically around 35, chosen from among more than 100 nominations by an independent jury.

People can nominate individuals from their communities by filling out a nomination form online or by calling the British Columbia Achievement Foundation and having a nomination formed mailed out.

A nomination is valid for three years, meaning a nominated individual who is passed over by the jury one year still has a chance to win the award the next year, or the year after that.

That no one from any of the Columbia Valley’s communities or rural areas has yet won the award might be a reflection of a lack of nominations flowing in from this area, according to Wilson.

“Our intent is to recognize all of B.C., and who wins the award tends to reflect the situation of where the nominations are coming from,” she said.

Local residents have a chance to change the trend, as the nomination season for the 2016 awards, which began in September, runs until January 15th, 2016 (an extension of two months from the November 15th deadline used in past years).

“We moved the deadline back to encourage the nomination process as much as possible,” said Wilson. “It’s a wonderful award and we’re excited get as many nominations as we can for 2016.”

To learn more or to nominate a valley resident for the award, visits www.bcachievement.com or call 604-261-9777.