(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Alaska Communications announces the kickoff of its sixth annual Summer of Heroes program in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska. The scholarship program recognizes five young Alaskan heroes, plus one from the Employee Program, who are making a significant contribution to his or her Alaska community. Each selected hero will receive a $1,500 scholarship through the UA College Savings Plan, as well as a trip to a special recognition ceremony at the Alaska State Fair the last weekend in August. This year, the nomination period runs from April 27 to July 15.

In addition to recognizing young Alaska heroes through the scholarship program, Alaska Communications has pledged to donate $25 to Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska for every new Unlimited or Business Internet contract signed between April 27 and July 15, 2016, up to $15,000 total. Since 2011, Alaska Communications has contributed a total of $75,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska through the Summer of Heroes program. One of the leading youth development organizations in Alaska, Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska provides high-quality programming for nearly 10,000 youth in 30 communities. As a nonprofit organization, the fluctuation of the economy often affects both federal and corporate funding, making contributions from individual donors critical for Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska to continue serving these youth.

“In our work at Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska Clubhouses across the state, we hope to inspire youth to find ways they can positively impact the lives of those around them,” said Alana Humphrey, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska. “The Summer of Heroes program is a fantastic way to recognize the sometimes unsung Alaska heroes who are making a difference in their communities and influencing others to do the same. We’re grateful for the support of Alaska Communications through this program and are looking forward to honoring six great youth heroes in August.”

Alaska Communications and Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska encourage parents, teachers, mentors, coaches and friends to nominate the young heroes in their lives. In addition, a youth fitting the requirements of the program can fill out an application to nominate themselves. A hero can be any youth, ages 6 to 18, who has made a significant contribution to his or her community through acts of kindness, bravery or success.

Throughout the first five years of the annual Summer of Heroes program, Alaska Communications awarded 30 youth heroes each with $1,500 scholarships, for a total of $45,000. Each of these 30 heroes was recognized for their efforts to give back to their local community. Examples include raising funds to keep a local school from shutting its doors, advocating for foster children, serving as a volunteer firefighter, donating birthday gifts to impoverished families, and leading a youth suicide prevention program, to name a few.

“As a company, we strongly believe in the importance of supporting Alaska’s leaders of tomorrow, and this is a tangible way we’re able to further that cause,” said Anand Vadapalli, Alaska Communications president and CEO. “We’re proud to be partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska for a sixth year to highlight the accomplishments of youth across our great state.”

Alaskans can nominate themselves or others by filling out the online nomination form by the deadline of July 15. Visit the Summer of Heroes website for program rules and details about the nomination process.

Alaska Communications is also seeking help from businesses and individuals in their search for the 2016 heroes. To learn about how you can get involved, visit www.alaskacommunications.com/summerofheroes.

On the Web:

2016 SUMMER OF HEROES YOUTH NOMINATION FORM
https://www.alaskacommunications.com/Forms/Summer-of-Heroes-2016.aspx

SUMMER OF HEROES
http://www.alaskacommunications.com/summerofheroes

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF ALASKA
http://www.bgcalaska.org

 

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Communications
www.alaskacommunications.com

Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska
www.bgcalaska.org

 

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