The Nye Communities Coalition Youth Organization is a finalist in the nominations for the Nevada Youth Award, and Cathy Girard is a finalist among the individuals in rural areas for the Governor's Point of Light award.

The awards ceremony at Sam's Town yesterday was set to honor seven outstanding volunteers and organizations from around the state.

The Nye Communities Coalition Youth Organization (YO) was nominated as an exceptional and diverse group of youths who represent a variety of organizations, schools and ages. The members volunteer their time on projects that build healthy communities and raise community awareness regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco use.

YO assists in the distribution of food to low-income families; participates in the anti-smoking campaign Kick Butt Day, which includes cleaning parks and playgrounds of cigarette butts; takes part in the Food for Thought Placement Project, Stand for Children Day, an annual event honoring top teachers; and Kids Health and Awareness Day, distributing information on healthy choices.

The nominating letter states: "The Nye Communities Coalition Youth Organization members are busy, committed youth that look for ways to help their community while maintaining good grades, good citizenship and good character. These youth are also very involved in their schools through sports, clubs, and JROTC. They have made a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle."

Girard, a volunteer for the Nye County Volunteer Program based in Pahrump, is a retired U.S. Army master sergeant who graduated cum laude in business management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

She followed the founder of the program, Jewell Burton-Average, in taking it over. It links volunteers in the community with the needs of the school district's schools and their children.

Volunteers provide thousands of hours helping children read, monitoring playgrounds, performing clerical tasks, assisting school nurses and any other tasks needed in the various schools in the 18,000-square-mile district.

The nominating letter states: "When Burton-Avery retired, the school district thought the program would end since the volunteer coordinator required a massive number of volunteer hours. Girard not only carried on the legacy, she improved it. In its expanded state, Nye County Volunteers now has one volunteer for every four teachers. Girard has made a difference in the lives of thousands of school children and hundreds of the volunteers of Nye County."