Community members may now purchase tickets for the 2020-21 Hometown Heroes Awards, an award lunch celebration of individuals and businesses identified for their local achievements and distinguished contributions in Queen Creek.

The festivities are from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24 at Heart Cry Church, 9339 W. Hunt Highway, Queen Creek, AZ 85142.

"We're excited to be hosting our first in-person event," said Queen Creek Independent's Advertising Manager Sarah Nieto.  "It's been rewarding meeting several fellow residents who have done outstanding deeds for the Town of Queen Creek."

Community individuals may join the celebration by purchasing tickets at the following links:

Individual:
https://yourvalley.creativecirclemedia.com/subscribe/?process=rate&rate=1

Couple:
https://yourvalley.creativecirclemedia.com/subscribe/?process=rate&rate=2

An Italian-themed buffet lunch is presented by Vito LoPiccolo of Brooklyn V's Pizza and dessert by Queen Creek Olive Mill.  Awards are sponsored by Rogers Family Enterprise. 

Each month Independent Newsmedia featured a Hometown Hero in the Queen Creek Independent, which was sponsored by the East Valley Institute of Technology, Queen Creek Olive Mill and Sterling Services. 

"We can't thank our sponsors enough," said Nieto, who noted the premier sponsor of the lunch event is Desert Financial Credit Union. 

2020-21 Hometown Heroes Awards winners
Jerry Baca,  volunteer
Erica Ballesteros,  entrepreuner
Nick Hansen, emergency responder
Molly Jacobs,  educator
Chris Knutsen, community cheerleader
Dr. Alexander Matheson, healthcare
Adam NeVille, mentor /coach
Mark Schnepf, lifetime achievement
James Skiotes, veteran
Alyson and Elyzabeth  Small, leaders of tomorrow
Elena Thurston,  trailblazer
Pastor Billy VanCamp, spiritual

People may learn more about the above  individuals by reading full-length articles at yourvalley.net/queen-creek-independent/hometownheroes/.

Submissions for the 2021-22 Hometown Heroes Awards of Queen Creek are open. All nominations to aznews@newszap.com will be reviewed, and monthly winners will be selected based on their community contributions.

Nominations should include name, email address and phone number along with the category of nomination, some details about the person being nominated and what accomplishments they have done.

A nomination form is here.

In addition to a lifetime achievement award, for a longstanding community member who has consistently stepped forward and exemplified a passion for giving back to the Queen Creek community within any category, there will be the following Community Heroes categories:

• Educator: Teacher or leader who has inspired students beyond their own learning expectation.
• Mentor/Coach: Person who works with, and is a role model, for our younger community.  
• Volunteer: Person who has donated their time and skill to assist or improve the community.
• Veteran: Former military person who continues to serve within the community.
• Community Cheerleader: Individual who rallies and organizes positivity for the community.
• Healthcare: Influential medical professional who is a leader and provides top-notch care for the community.
• Emergency Responder: Person who steps forward during an emergency.
• Spiritual: A spiritual leader who displays their own good and unlocks the potential in others.
• Entrepreneur: An individual who launches an idea into a new business and serves the community.
• Trailblazer: Business that is spearheading innovative or new products and serves the community.
• Leader of tomorrow (17 or younger): Youth who shows leadership and involvement within the community.

Sponsorships are available for businesses and trusted organizations, which can partner to support these local heroes and their achievements.

Related Links:
brooklynvspizza.com
desertfinancial.com/personal
evit.com
heartcrychurch.com/
queencreekolivemill.com/
sterlingair.us/