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Submissions sought for Helping Hands Award

Times West Virginian - 8/18/2018

Aug. 18--FAIRMONT -- In an effort to recognize those special caregivers who dedicate their time to their family members with a disability, PACE Enterprises announces The Helping Hands Award.

The Helping Hands Award is given to a family caregiver whose contribution is vital to the independence and quality of life of a person with a disability. The winner will receive a $500 cash award from First United Bank and Trust and a commemorative plaque at an awards ceremony in September.

"The idea for the award started at our board meeting," PACE Director of Development Bob Pirner said. "I wasn't at that board meeting. I kind of found out about it the next day, but I guess one of our board members had the idea that this would be a great thing to do. The unsung heroes are the family members of people with disabilities."

The award is intended to pay tribute to an individual for whom compassion is second nature, and those who not only provide care to people with developmental disabilities and special needs across a broad range of conditions and illnesses, but who do so with a singular focus on enhancing the quality of life for those in their care, according to a PACE press release.

"When you have a family member with a disability, it's a 24-hour a day commitment," Pirner said. "You worry all the time, not to say that every parent doesn't worry, but a lot of times these folks just don't get recognized. We wanted to do something that would put somebody in the spotlight for the day."

Any caregiver in the community is eligible for nomination. PACE will accept nominations from peers, family, friends and patients, as well as anyone whose life has been touched by family caregivers.

"We will put together a committee of some people who are familiar with disability and disability advocacy as well as community people and ask them to take a look at the nominations and pick the one person," Pirner said. "It's going to be a tough job. We've gotten a couple in already and oh my, there's some great stories!"

Pirner said PACE hopes to make a decision mid-September and contact the winner for an award ceremony at PACE. The deadline for submissions for The Helping Hands Award is Sept. 1. Those wishing to submit a nomination can do so at http://paceenterprises.org/helping-hands-award/.

"It's a great opportunity for somebody to recognize a caregiver in our community," Pirner said.

Email Kaitlyn Neff at kneff@timeswv.com and follow her on Twitter at @kneffTWV.

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