The Health Initiative seeks nominations from the community for its Patrick “Bird” Kerr Award, honoring an employee “who exemplifies qualities Mr. Kerr demonstrated,” according to the organization.

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.

As determined by the Kerr Family and the Health Initiative, a nominee must be an employee who exhibits many of the qualities Kerr did, such as:

• continuously showing support for the Health Initiative

• striving for overall wellness in their personal and professional life

• creating opportunities for other colleagues to become more “well”

• continuously offering suggestions to help the wellness program grow

• providing encouragement to colleagues to participate in programs

• enjoying being outside and being active

• trying their best to improve, maybe having to work hard at accomplishing it but persevering

• always showing good nature and friendliness

• being open to new things, new places

• being someone everyone seems to know.

The ideal nominee will possess the majority of these qualities, and nominators should communicate this clearly in the nomination form.

Patrick “Bird” Kerr was an employee for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation with undeniable charm. He brought smiles and enthusiasm that were contagious to every room he entered. In addition, “Bird” was very supportive of the Wellness Program at his work as well as in his personal life. He strived to eat healthy, exercise and spread the word of healthy activities occurring throughout the county. Kerr died in 2008.

Online nominations may be made at the agency website, www.gethealthyslc.org. Downloadable forms to print, complete and mail are also available online. Paper forms can be obtained by calling Julie Cooke at (315) 261-4760 ext. 239.

Nominations are due by Sept. 8. The award winner will be recognized at the Health Initiative’s Annual Meeting on Oct. 26.