 Well, every year, Brainerd Community Action awards people and organizations for the outstanding work that they have done and the positive impact they've had on the community. A distinguished service awards banquet was held last night to celebrate the honorees. Our reporter Rachel Johnson has the story. In years of exemplified, we should all strive to be. People filled the Northern Pacific Center in Brainerd tonight in celebration of some outstanding community members. We are celebrating 10 individuals in the community who have made a huge impact in the Brainerd Lakes area. The distinguished service awards are put on through Brainerd Community Action as a way to recognize those who make the Brainerd Lakes area a better place. We recognize these recipients because they are still deserving and it's really great for me because I am on the back side of things where I get to surprise them with their recognition and tonight we're just here to celebrate with their friends and family. Nominations for Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Non-Profit and Outstanding Youth Volunteer were gathered throughout the year with the honorees being chosen earlier this month. The crossing arts hall is a gateway to the arts through access to education and experiences. Whenever I go anywhere, I love to tell people where I'm from. I tell them how much I love Brainerd. To find something passionate about, be kind and volunteer. Others remember an apt, big or small, committed difference. An Outstanding Agro-Business Person, Child Care Provider, Educator, Senior Volunteer, Community Service Provider and Youth Citizen of the Year were also recognized at the banquet. Brainerd Community Action chooses the Outstanding Youth Volunteer, Citizen of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year with help from other community organizations to choose the other honorees. The organizers of the awards know how important it is to recognize community members that go above and beyond. If it wasn't for them and these volunteers in our community, our community wouldn't be the way that it is. That's what brings us together. That's what keeps us as a whole. They make a difference in this community. They make it better. They are influential for the up and coming people that perhaps will be receiving these awards later on. They're just a significant part of this community and they truly need to be recognized for what they do. The people and groups recognized are all examples of how one person or organization can make a big difference in a community. Reporting from Brainerd, Rachel Johnson, Lakeland News. Brainerd Community Action is currently accepting nominations for next year's awards to learn how to nominate a community member or non-profit. You can visit the story on our website at lptv.org. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.