Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon is encouraging local residents to nominate exceptional volunteers for a Prime Minister's Volunteer Award.

"Our community benefits greatly from the tireless efforts of many volunteers. I would love to see a member of our community recognized for their exceptional contributions but for that to happen someone will need to nominate them," Strahl said.

The call for nominations is open until March 1, 2013. Nominators may be any per-son or group with direct knowledge of the nominee's contribution. Nominees can be individual volunteers or groups of volunteers, businesses or not-for-profit organizations.

Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony, and can identify an eligible not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).

? For more information about the awards and to access the online nomination form, please visit: www.pm.gc.ca/awards.