Acadiana's News Leader 2012 Jefferson Awards

If you ask anyone what makes Acadiana such a wonderful place to live, you'd probably hear answers ranging from the cuisine to the unique music to Acadiana's fascinating history and heritage.

But, one factor we'd all agree on, Acadiana is blessed with wonderful people who make up each of the communities in our area.

Each year, TV10 recognizes one of those special people with the prestigious "Jefferson Award" which honors men and women who are truly making a difference in their communities.

Now, it's time to recognize the 2011 Jefferson Award winner, and we're asking for your help.

The Jefferson Awards was created to honor outstanding volunteer activists in communities all across the country, and TV10 is honored to serve as Acadiana's media partner for the program.

What sets the Jefferson Awards apart is its emphasis on spotlighting community heroes, who recognize a need right in their own hometown, and create a program, project or service to meet that previously unmet need.

What kind of person are we looking for? Our past winners include Hank and Debbie Perret, who wanted to find a way to honor the life of their young son, Miles, who died of cancer at the age of Eight.

The Perret's created the Miles Perret Cancer Services Center, which provides help to thousands of families battling cancer throughout South Louisiana.

Other previous honorees include restaurateur Ema Haq, who works to eradicate the hunger problem in Acadiana, cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Chuck Wyatt, who founded the Heartstarter Program in Lafayette, Food Net pioneer Marcel Citron, and Link Savoie, who fights to protect the rights of Acadiana's military veterans.

Now, we're asking TV ten viewers to help us choose Acadiana's outstanding volunteer for 2010. Our local winner will attend the national Jefferson Awards ceremonies in Washington this summer, to represent the spirit of giving that is alive and well in Acadiana.

If you'd like to nominate someone for the 2011 Jefferson Award, send us three or four paragraphs detailing how your nominee has made Acadiana a better place to live.

Please include a phone number for yourself and your nominee and send it to us by:

E-mail to brolfes@klfy.com,

mail it to post office box 90665, Lafayette, 70509.

or Fax it to 337-981-6533

All nominations must be received at TV10 by midnight, February 27th.