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SAMMI Awards
How do you come together and share a resource?
Our organization, the SAMMI Awards (Sammamish Acknowledges Magnificent Moments of Inspiration), has the usual Board of Directors comprised of local community activists. But, our group is really made up of the entire community of Sammamish. Our resource is the many stories of inspiration that we share at an annual awards ceremony. Often dubbed “the Oscars of Sammamish”, we recognize inspirational people in our community in 9 categories; Arts, Business, Courage, Learning Promotion, Trevor Price, Teen Spirit, Unsung Hero, Youth Advocate, Spirit of Sammamish. We see ourselves as story tellers collecting, sharing and honoring the inspirational actions of the people of Sammamish.
It truly takes our entire village to put on the SAMMI Awards each year. Local businesses provide money and services. Volunteers are recruited from the local schools, non profits, churches, businesses, and the community at large. The citizens of our city submit nominations, and look forward to seeing the results at the awards ceremony. For eight years, we have packed a high school theater and provided inspirational stories along with some local entertainment. Before and after the show we congregate with our neighbors and share food and companionship.
How would your group use the award money?
We operate on a shoe string, yet we have big ideas for increasing the production value of our ceremony and our website. This money would allow us to enhance our ability to be story tellers of inspiration.
stephen guy
i am going to suggest this kind of program to my community foundation on orcas island to ampiify commmunity building values. every community should do this. thanks.