Most heroes live and work among us without much notice, but it’s time to recognize them.

Island County’s Community Health Advisory Board (CHAB) will honor individuals who go the extra mile to help others in need with the Linda Lee Martens Health Hero Award, named for the late executive secretary of the local health department. She was a president of Soroptimists International and a memorable participant in many local activities. She was a hero because she was an ordinary person with an extraordinary love for others.

Past awardees have been recognized for promoting child abuse prevention, fostering parentless children, working to reduce substance abuse, addressing environmental issues, establishing projects supporting adolescents’ nutritional needs, assisting the elderly in finding health care, developing community gardens, caring for the uninsured and for enhancing the community’s health and quality of life in numerous other ways.

The community is invited to nominate individuals or groups who have made significant accomplishments toward bettering community health in any manner. Elements to consider include project scope and objectives, measurable results (insofar as possible), urgency of the problem addressed, number of people affected and funds raised or committed.

Find a nomination form at www.islandcountyahc.org/Page/26 or call 360-679-7350. Forms must be submitted by April 22 to Kerry Graves at Island County Public Health PO Box 5000 Coupeville, WA 98239; or KerryG@co.island.wa.us or by fax to 679-7390.

Nominees must be residents of or employed in Island County. Awardees will be recognized in three categories: adult, student under age 18 and agency.

The Island County Board of Health will honor nominees at a Joint Special BOH/CHAB meeting to be held on May 21 at the Coupeville Performing Arts Center in the Coupeville High School. The public is welcome to attend.