This Friday (April 10, 2015) is the last day to submit your nomination for the 52nd Annual Joseph M. Plasko Tamaqua Citizenship Award.
The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the award to be presented at the Chamber’s 65th Annual Community Dinner to be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2015.
The sole recipient of this award shall be selected on the basis of voluntary contribution to the civic advancement of Tamaqua and the well-being of its citizens. Any work for which the nominee was paid shall not be considered in the selection. The award is not being made solely on any subdivision of civic endeavor, such as religious, economic or charitable activity, but rather on an overall service on a variety of community endeavors.
The award was rededicated to Joseph M. Plasko in 2011 in honor of the years of volunteer service that was given to the community by Joe, who passed away suddenly in March of 2011. Plasko had served as the President of the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce for many years and was dedicated to serving his community in many areas.
Nominations in the form of signed letters will be accepted from various fraternal, social, religious or civic organizations, as well as individual residents of the area. The general public shall be encouraged to participate and a press release announcing the receiving of the nominations shall be placed in local newspapers three weeks in advance of the meeting of the Selection Committee. Nomination letters are to be mailed to the Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award Committee in care of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, 114 West Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA 18252. Email letters will also be accepted. The email address is tamaquachamber@verizon.net. Letters can also be dropped off during the day.
A committee, consisting of representatives from several local organizations, as well as the Chamber will make the final selection, based on the nominees qualifications.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 10, 2015, by 12 noon.
The “Citizenship Award” was established in 1963 via the Board of Directors of the Board of Directors of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on how to submit your recommendation or to view requirements and rules, click the image below or call (570) 668-1880.

Past award winners were:
1964: Mrs. Ella Ray Mundy (deceased)
1965: Gordon Pfeil (deceased)
1966: Mrs. Ruth Kropp (deceased)
1967: George Seligman (deceased)
1968: Rev. M.E. Detterline (deceased)
1969: A. A. “Brig” Young (deceased)
1970: Anthony J. Maff (deceased)
1971: Willis R. Parnell (deceased)
1972: Paul L. Wagner (deceased)
1973: Oscar S. Werley, Jr. (deceased)
1974: Dr. Harry W. Bailey (deceased)
1975: John Lindenmann (deceased)
1976: Jacob Rimbach (deceased)
1977: William G. Guy (deceased)
1978: Chester A. Hoffman (deceased)
1979: E. Franklin Griffiths (deceased)
1980: Charles “Sam” Ghares (deceased)
1981: William A. Moser (deceased)
1982: Mrs. Elizabeth Purnell (deceased)
1983: Rev. F. Peter Muhr
1984: Robert J. Pitts
1985: Dr. Mary Malishaucki (deceased)
1986: Raymond Ripko (deceased)
1987: John Kellner (deceased)
1988: Dorothy “Tillie” Ghares (deceased)
1989: William H. Fegley, Sr.
1990: Linda Yulanavage.
1991: George Wenzel (deceased)
1992: Junior Zehner (deceased)
1993: Constantine “Gus” Depos (deceased)
1994: Sheldon Shafer
1995: Ruth Essington
1996: Nicholas J. Young (deceased)
1997: Paul Scherer (deceased)
1998: Floyd Zimmerman
1999: Herman Lutz (deceased)
2000: Dr. H. Bruce Geiger
2001: Robert Evans (deceased)
2002: Dale Freudenberger
2003: Pat Freeh:Stefanek
2004: Judy Hoppes
2005: Curtis J. Bailey
2006: Sally Ann Neumann (deceased)
2007: Jerome P. Knowles
2008: Todd Miller
2009: Randy Gormley
2010: Emerson Musser
2011: Andrew Leibenguth
2012: Fran Stahl
2013: Matt Hope
2014: Thomas Banditelli Sr.