These are some frequently asked questions about the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.

What are the Jefferson Awards?

The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. The Jefferson Awards are presented on two levels: national and local.

What is the mission of the Jefferson Awards?

The mission of the Jefferson Awards is to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through public and community service.

Who sponsors The Jefferson Awards?

The Jefferson Awards are a program of the American Institute for Public Service, a 501c3 non-partisan and non-profit foundation. The Institute was founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard in 1972. The Daily News, along with WBKO are the proud sponsors of the local Jefferson Awards in South Central Kentucky.

Who selects the National Winners and who are they?

The Jefferson Awards Board of Selectors choose the winners. The Board is a 75-member prestigious group of leading Americans that includes: Senators Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, as well as Laura Bush, Hank Aaron, Lesley Stahl and Michael Douglas.

The national Jefferson Awards honorees are a “Who’s Who” of American history makers. They have included: Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Colin Powell, Bob Hope and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Each year, one winner is selected in each of four categories:

    •Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official

    •Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen

    •Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged

    •Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under

Who selects the local winners and who are they?

The Jefferson Awards has 147 Media Partners in 93 communities across the country. A local panel of judges select the winners. These Media Partners are major local newspapers, television and radio stations. Most Media Partners select five to six winners. Some honor a volunteer each month or each week.

The local winners are “Unsung Heroes” – ordinary individuals who are performing extraordinary deeds – mostly without recognition.

How do these local winners get to the national level?

From each community, the Jefferson Awards Board selects one local winner to come to Washington as part of our National Ceremonies in Washington, DC in June. Over 60 U.S. Senators present these winners their award. The Board of Selectors picks five of these to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for “Outstanding Community Service Benefiting Local Communities.” They stand side by side with the four other national award winners.

Who funds The Jefferson Awards?

Donations are received from hundreds of individuals, corporations and foundations. The Institute has a small endowment to help underwrite our costs.

The national web site, http://www.jeffersonawards.org, was the main source of information for this page of information.