Nominations for the 2009 Seattle-King County First Citizen Award may be submitted until Dec. 31. The prestigious award, presented annually since 1939, recognizes a King County resident, family or organization that exemplifies “compassionate citizenship” and the spirit of community service.

Nominations may be submitted by mail, fax or email to the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors, c/o Val Towler:

By mail: 12410 S.E. 32nd St. Suite 100, Bellevue WA 98005

By fax: 425-974-1032

By email: vtowler@nwrealtor.com

Recommendations for the selection committee’s consideration should include a biographical sketch of the candidate and brief statements or testimonials about the nominee’s commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, civic leadership and/or charitable and community involvement. Visionary leadership and philanthropy to meet ever-changing community needs also are considered.

Among past recipients are individuals, couples and families who represent a cross-section of prominent leaders and unsung heroes. Children’s Hospital, honored in 1944, has the distinction of being the only organization to be honored as a First Citizen Award recipient.

Honorees have included public officials such as Dr. Dixy Lee Ray and Thomas M. Pelly, religious leaders such as Rev. A.A. Lemieux, S.J., and Rabbi Raphael Levine, and business executives such as Phil Smart Sr., Henry Broderick, and Mrs. A. Scott (Dorothy) Bullitt.

Kayla and Ned Skinner were the first of six couples to be recognized as First Citizens during the award’s 70-year history. Three families – Mary Gates and the Gates Family, the Bullitt Family and the McCaw family – have been honored as First Citizens.

First Citizen Award winners are honored at a civic banquet. The tribute for the 2009 recipient will be held in the fall.