It's a pity there can be only one recipient of each of the 12 Comox Valley Annual Community Awards, because there are always other worthy nominees.Yet the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce deserves an award itself for offering such a valuable service.The nominations period gets people thinking about which volunteers go the extra mile to make the Comox Valley a better place and which businesspeople operate successfully.Just to be nominated is flattering. There’s more of the same for any of the three finalists in each category. To actually receive an award brings extra recognition and each of the 12 becomes an inspiration for others.Those who risk their own safety to save others from danger are always inspirational.Paul Berry, manager/president of Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue, is a good choice as Citizen of the Year.Berry, who humbly has a difficult time talking about himself, makes sure the dedicated 60-member team gets its share of the credit.Berry also oversees training and fundraising as well as volunteering for events such as the Canada Day and BC Day parades.A successful business that is arguably the single greatest magnet to attract visitors to the Comox Valley, the Mount Washington Alpine Resort was a worthy selection as Business of the Year.Completing two $3-million projects last year that make it more attractive to customers and employing 120 to 900 people, most of whom live in the Comox Valley, didn’t hurt its chances of winning the award.Congratulations to all other recipients, including local Rotarians, who earned the Heritage Recognition Award. While having fun at numerous social activities, members of the four Comox Valley clubs do a tremendous amount of good locally and globally.Ray and Ann at Appletree Market earned the Small Business of the Year Award, putting a new exterior on the popular store, which otherwise might be an empty building.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com