Independent Newsmedia team members wait to greet guests at the Surprise Hometown Heroes Awards in 2019.

News Editor Jason Stone enjoys the food.

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We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate the people who make Surprise a great place to live and work. Our Hometown Heroes Awards bring attention to community members and businesses for philanthropic achievements.”

Charlene Bisson, publisher

The Surprise Independent present its 2021 Hometown Heroes Awards, an award celebration of individuals and businesses identified for their local achievements and distinguished contributions in Surprise.

The next event is in late 2021.

Independent accepts nominations now

Submissions will continuously be sought from the Surprise community in multiple categories. All nominations to aznews@newszap.com will be reviewed, and monthly winners will be selected based on their community contributions.

Nominations should include name, email address and phone number along with the category of nomination, some details about the person being nominated and what accomplishments they have done.

And the categories are ...

In addition to a lifetime achievement award, for a longstanding community member who has consistently stepped forward and exemplified a passion for giving back to the Surprise community within any category, there will be the following Community Heroes categories:

• Educator: Teacher who has inspired students beyond their own learning expectation.
• Mentor/Coach: Person who works with, and is a role model, for our younger community.  
• Volunteer: Person who has donated their time and skill to assist or improve the community.
• Veteran: Former military person who continues to serve within the community.
• Community Cheerleader: Individual who rallies and organizes positivity for the community.
• Healthcare: Influential medical professional who is a leader and provides top-notch care for the community.
• Emergency Responder: Person who steps forward during an emergency.
• Spiritual: A spiritual leader who displays their own good and unlocks the potential in others.
• Entrepreneur: An individual who launches an idea into a new business and serves the community.
• Trailblazer: Business that is spearheading innovative or new products and serves the community.
• Leader of tomorrow (17 or younger): Youth who shows leadership and involvement within the community.

A nomination form is here.

2019 event honors community, business leaders

Surprise Independent  hosted the heroes of Surprise at its Hometown Heroes Awards luncheon celebration Sept. 25, 2019 at Fellowship Square, 16477 W. Bell Road.

“We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate the people who make Surprise a great place to live and work,” said Independent Newsmedia’s  Publisher Charlene Bisson. “Our Hometown Heroes Awards bring attention to community members and businesses for philanthropic achievements.”

Winners include the late Chuck Strange, who won the Lifetime Achievement award.

Community Hero winners include Heather Casey (Educator), Connie Whitlock (Arts Innovator), Officer Matthew Barker, on behalf of the SWAT team (Emergency Responder), Kent Guyer (Mentor), Chaplain Dan Brookey (Spiritual), Glenn Stark (Veteran) and Sharon Beard (Volunteer).

The Business Heroes winners include Ottawa University (Education), Julie Neal from the AZTechcelerator (Entrepreneur), Avein Saaty-Tafoya of Adelante Healthcare (Healthcare), the Surprise Youth Foundation (Nonprofit organization), Tammy Fraser of Gifts to Go (Small Business), Jennifer Powell of Amtrust Bank (Large Business) and Scott Boettcher of Veteran Tinting and Blinds (Veteran-Owned Business).

The program acknowledged winners with an award presentation and social.

Sponsorships are available for businesses and trusted organizations, which can partner to support these local heroes and their achievements. Email azads@newszap.com.