The Wilson Human Relations Commission is seeking nominations for the 2021 Humanitarian of the Year and Community Response Awards. 

Because of pandemic restrictions, the office is suspending the annual Human Relations Awards Banquet and Treasures of the Community awards. Instead, as part of the 50th  anniversary, the office is creating new awards and a new virtual awards celebration. 

The most prestigious award will remain in place, according to Theresa Mathis, human relations specialist. The annual Humanitarian of the Year Award will continue to honor those who have demonstrated a call of duty to help poor and disadvantaged people obtain basic life necessities, education, food, clothing, medicine and more while maintaining their human dignity, she said. This is the highest honor the commission can bestow and serves as a lifetime achievement award. 

New to the awards program this year are the Community Response Awards. These awards aim to recognize Wilson residents who have been leaders in response to the coronavirus community needs and social justice concerns. The goal is to acknowledge those who helped move the community from crisis to compassion, Mathis said.

Commissioners are looking for those who have gone above and beyond, those who have taken action and those who have gotten involved to make a difference. Nominations can be for individual volunteers, community groups, youths, families or volunteers at nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated community support during 2020.  

The first category for the Community Response Award is “COVID-19.”

“Wilson has been fortunate to have an amazing outpouring of community spirit since the start of the coronavirus outbreak,” Mathis said. 

Commissioners are seeking nominees who mobilized resources, brought together teams of support and took action to keep the community safe and healthy.  

The second category for the Community Response Award is “Social Justice.” 

“This year has brought to light many areas of disparity in the community,” Mathis said. 

Commissioners are seeking to recognize those who have exemplified the philosophies of Martin Luther King Jr. with acts of social justice, advocacy or racial reconciliation. 

“We want to acknowledge those that took action, brought people together and formalized ways to ensure fair and equal treatment of all citizens in Wilson,” Mathis said. “Please nominate those who were crucial in creating positive community responses and promoted the advancement of underrepresented groups.” 

Commissioners are seeking nominees who have responded in one or more of these four ways: starting a new community collaboration, program or event; creating a digital response, campaign, call to action or virtual event that uplifted the community; establishing a meaningful event, program or outreach that provided support for an individual or family; or initiating ways to raise funds or collect donations for those in need. 

Nominations are typically based solely on volunteer work, not employment, but in 2020, those lines often were blurred, Mathis said. Should nominees’ actions overlap with employment, the recommendation letter must clearly show evidence of how the nominee went beyond job expectations and responsibilities to respond to the community.

In place of the annual awards banquet will be a virtual celebration to commemorate the 50th year of the Human Relations Awards. Greetings from honored guests will be included. Cmmissioners will share the nominees’ accomplishments and announce the winners. The virtual celebration is scheduled to broadcast on the city of Wilson’s Channel 8 toward the end of February. Announcement of the date and time are forthcoming. 

This year, all nominations will be accepted electronically. To find out more information on the awards and how to nominate, visit WilsonNC.org. Enter “Human Relations Awards” in the search box. Complete the online nomination form by the deadline: Thursday, Jan. 28. 

Residents can also call the office at 252-399-2308 or email hrelations@wilsonnc.org.