Industry giants, community leaders, non-profit volunteers, "someone that inspires us to do more," these are the men and women the Winkler Community Foundation (WCF) seek to honour with the distinction of Winkler Citizen of the Year.

"Someone who is motivated and taken action to make a difference in our community," WCF Executive Director Myra Peters explains.

Nominees will have gone above and beyond to serve the Winkler community, and shown a passion for making a positive impact in areas like the arts, recreation or business.

However, Peters says not every winner needs to fit the same mold, "because you can give back to the community in so many ways."

Winkler Community Foundation President Chris Hildebrand presents Terry Elias with the 2016 Winkler Citizen of the Year award

The nomination deadline for the 2017 Citizen of the Year is June 6.

The award originated with the Kinsmen Club of Winkler in 1977. After lying dormant for two years the Winkler Community Foundation revived the award in 2006.

Peters says the award is also a chance to say thank-you, "we know our community wouldn't be the same without them."

Download the nomination form here.

Winners join the list of movers and shakers of the past and present like Dr. C.W Wiebe, John W. Kuhl, Grace Schellenberg, Curt Reimer and Louis Tanguay.

The award will be presented at the Annual Citizen of the Year Banquet on Thursday, September 29. Tickets will go on sale in August.

Dr. Don Klassen was honoured as the 2014 Winkler Citizen of the Year

Gary Gilmour received the Citizen of the Year Award in 2013 from Winkler Community Foundation President Phillip Vallelly