FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Volunteers are a vital part of delivering services to our community every day – from hunger to education; homelessness to advocacy; volunteers are there to give the most important gift – the gift of time. To celebrate the dedication and compassion seen every day in the Ozarks, the City of Springfield, Jeanette Musgrave Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks present the 25th annual Gift of Time awards to honor our community’s volunteers. Local nonprofits, co-workers, family and friends of volunteers are invited to nominate someone you think is deserving of a "Gift of Time" award. An impartial team of business and civic leaders will review each nominee based on information you provide. Five individuals will be selected as Volunteers of the Year and placed in a drawing to win one donation of $1,000 to benefit the charity of their choice. One volunteer will be recognized by the City of Springfield for a special City of Springfield Award for Exemplary Service. The Volunteers of the Year will be revealed during the Gift of Time Luncheon at noon, June 30 at the Ramada Oasis Convention Center, 2456 N. Glenstone. Portraits of the Gift of Time award recipients are displayed on the Rosanna Bradshaw Memorial Wall of Fame in the Busch Municipal Building throughout the year. Bradshaw was an active volunteer in the Ozarks for many years and helped to create the Gift of Time program. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 31. ### For more information, or to nominate a volunteer for a Gift of Time award, please visit springfieldmo.gov/giftoftime or call the Council of Churches at 417-862-3586.