A special version of the City of Port Coquitlam's annual Volunteer Recognition Awards and Tribute this year will honour today's volunteers as well as those who helped build the community over the past century.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 awards, whose theme, Legends of Port Coquitlam, recognizes the important role volunteers have played since the city was incorporated in 1913.

"Our community was built on volunteers. This is an opportunity to recognize the people who make Port Coquitlam such a wonderful place to live," Mayor Greg Moore said in a press release.

"When we think of people who have affected our lives, often they're a volunteer like a coach or someone who works with a community program. It's important to make sure these people are recognized for providing a better quality of life for all of us."

Nominations will be accepted until March 17 in seven categories: Arts, Heritage & Cultural Awareness; Caring & Safety; Environmental Protection & Enhancement; Sports & Recreation; Youth Programs; U21 (youth under age 21); and Lifetime Volunteer.

Fortis BC has again stepped forward to sponsor the awards and the Volunteer Recognition Awards and Tribute evening, a gala event featuring entertainment, refreshments and the awards presentation. As part of the city's centennial celebrations, the 86 past award recipients will be invited to this year's event, set for April 23 at the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex.

Nominees can be any age and do not have to live in PoCo.

They cannot have previously received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the city, and must meet at least one of these criteria:

. their unpaid volunteer contributions provide extraordinary help or care to families or groups in PoCo,

. they continually commit their time, talent and energy, without pay, to improve the quality of life in PoCo, or

. they have been voluntarily involved in a program or project that has had a lasting benefit for PoCo and its residents.

All nominees will receive a commemorative pin and certificate, along with an invitation to the tribute. Award recipients will receive a personalized etched glass trophy and will have their names added to the volunteer "Honour Roll" displayed at City Hall since the awards were created in 1997.

Nomination forms are available online at www. portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer, as well as at City Hall (2580 Shaughnessy St.), Port Coquitlam Rec Complex (2150 Wilson Ave.), Hyde Creek Recreation Centre (1379 Laurier Ave.) and Terry Fox Library (2470 Mary Hill Rd).

For more information on the volunteer awards, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/volun-teer, call 604-927-5410 or email info@portcoquitlam.ca.