Maybe it’s the sound of “can” at the end of our town’s name, but in Ketchikan, we don’t take admonitions like “it can’t be done” seriously.

If we need something, we try to accomplish it for ourselves. We don’t stop there, either. If someone else needs something, we scramble to make it happen for them. We don’t worry about whose “job” it is —?we just work to get things done.

In other words, Ketchikan is a hotbed of volunteering.

Those who volunteer don’t do so for credit, but it’s lovely to honor those who do so much for the betterment of others’ lives and the life of our community, our state and our nation.

The nomination period has just opened for the First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Awards, and the window is for this month only. Nominations close March 1.

The awards recognize those — adults and youth alike — “who make a significant impact in Alaska throughout their charitable activities and volunteerism,”?according to the announcement from Gov. Sean Parnell’s office. Sandy Parnell, the first lady, will confer the awards at a ceremony in May. Honorees are chosen by an executive committee of Alaskans from throughout the state.

Nomination forms are available online at http://tinyurl.com/volawards. The nomination form is very simple. If you wish to nominate someone, you will be asked to supply your own information and that of the nominee (names, address, phone number, email address) and write up a statement as to why they should be honored.

The criteria, beyond the person working as an unpaid volunteer, include lengthy service to the community or state; extraordinary personal commitment; or significant impact of benefit to the community or state.

Ketchikan folks have been among those honored over the years, and should be again this year. The first step to making that happen is to nominate someone.