POTSDAM -- The Potsdam-based Health Initiative and the Bridge to Wellness are accepting nominations for their awards which will be presented at the joint meeting of the two organizations on Oct. 26.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Initiative’s Patrick “Bird” Kerr Award and Walter Lacks Award is Sept. 8. The deadline for the Bridge to Wellness’ Community Health Leadership Award has been extended, said a press release from the organization.

Patrick 'Bird' Kerr Award

The Patrick "Bird" Kerr Award honors an employee who continuously shows support for the Health Initiative, strives for overall wellness in their personal and professional life, creates opportunities for other colleagues to become more "well,” continuously offers suggestions to help the wellness program grow, provides encouragement to colleagues to participate in programs and enjoys being outside and being active, said the press release.

In order to be considered for the award, an employee must be nominated by fellow employees, administration, or Health Initiative representatives. The award will be presented each year at the Health Initiative Annual Meeting with a perpetual plaque to be placed at the Health Initiative office.

Online nominations may be made at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BirdAward2017. Downloadable forms to print, complete and mail are also available at http://files.constantcontact.com/49afe1af001/831df8c0-b167-4fa3-8b7f-ba2c542bba00.pdf.

Paper forms can be obtained by calling Julie Cooke at 315-261-4760 ext. 239. Nominations are due by Sept. 8.

Walter Lacks Award

The Health Initiative is accepting nominations from the community for its Walter Lacks Award, given to a St. Lawrence County resident who has demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to both personal wellness and to increasing wellness in others.

In 2011, the Health Initiative inaugurated the Walter Lacks Award, named for community resident Walter Lacks who, well into his 90s, works to improve his own health and the health of community members, whether here or across the nation and the globe.

This award was created to both honor him and to recognize other individuals in the community who also express the qualities that Lacks embodies.

Online nominations may be made https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WalterLacksAward.

Downloadable forms to print, complete and mail are also available at http://files.constantcontact.com/49afe1af001/27a40704-5355-4495-ba58-16b95970578e.pdf.

Paper forms can be obtained by calling Julie Cooke at 315-261-4760 ext. 239.

Nominations are due by Sept. 8.

Community Health Leadership Award

The Bridge to Wellness Community Health Leadership Award is an opportunity to recognize an organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership above and beyond their traditional scope of work to improve the health of St. Lawrence County.

The award honors one organization or municipality that has contributed services beyond the normal expectations of their mission.

Nominees must provide services to individuals in St. Lawrence County

Nominations for this award can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommHealthLeadership.