Starting this week, Aurorans can nominate residents for community spirit awards — an annual way to recognize community members for involvement and impact.

The award goes out each year to members of the community, organizations, businesses and city staff members who make a significant mark on the community through volunteering or other kinds of community involvement.

Nominations opened up for awards this week and will remain open until May 31. The form for nominations is available on the city’s website.

The Aurora Volunteer Committee will chose award recipients, who will be recognized for their contributions to the community at a ceremony.

Awardees are based on the impact of their community service and the number of nominations they get.

There are eight award categories:

City of Aurora programs volunteer: A person who volunteers for the city and directly impacts city operations, programs and events.

City of Aurora programs youth volunteer: A person 18-years-old or younger who volunteers for the city.

Community volunteer: A person who volunteers for a nonprofit in, or with a presence in Aurora.

Youth community volunteer: A person 18-years-old or younger who volunteers for a nonprofit in, or with a presence in Aurora.

Community nonprofit organization

Service member veteran volunteer: Nominees must be on active duty, a drilling guardsman or reservist, a veteran or family member of someone who has served or is currently serving in the military.

Community business partner: Local business that has partnered with an Aurora nonprofit.

City of Aurora employee volunteer

Jordan Clark is the founder of Iron Sharp Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that won a Community Spirit Award in 2023.

Iron Sharp provides service and outreach to communities in need, both locally and globally, through collaborations with faith-based, governmental and private organizations, according to its website.

A big part of Iron Sharp’s focus has been within local school districts, Clark said. When he first got started with the organization, they gave out 300 backpacks to students in need.

Last year, they distributed almost 3,000 backpacks, Clark said.

Iron Sharp’s support goes beyond one-time donations, he said. Specifically for homeless students, they try to provide ongoing support throughout the year by giving kids hygiene kits, school supplies and other means of support.

“We really want to let these families in these high-needs communities know that there is a community that stands behind them, that loves them and supports them,” Clark said. “That’s where our heart is.”

The organization’s impact on the community led to a nomination for a community spirit award in 2023, which Clark said was “truly an honor.”

“It was really touching to hear that the work we’ve been doing has made a life-changing impact on the community,” Clark said.

There is great value in the city recognizing the work of nonprofits and amplifying their voices, specifically for smaller nonprofits like Iron Sharp, Clark said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to let the community know who is doing this type of work and providing these types of outreaches and initiatives,” he said. “As we’ve seen with a lot of our programs and efforts, it’s all about making connections and relationships in the community.”

Clark is excited for future award winners, knowing how the award touched Iron Sharp employees and volunteers.

“We’re honored to be a part of the award community and we’re excited for those who are being awarded this year as well,” Clark said. “Congratulations to them and we look forward to hopefully working with them.”

Iron Sharp Community Foundation team members assemble care kits for homeless students and families in Aurora Public Schools at an event for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Courtesy of Iron Sharp Community Foundation