2012 Citizens Medal: Open for Nominations

For more than 40 years, the Presidential Citizens Medal has recognized Americans who have "performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens." Yesterday, the President invited you, the American public, to nominate everyday heroes for one of our nation’s highest civilian honors.

Who is your hero? Who has gone above and beyond, performing extraordinary deeds of service? Help us recognize the exemplary citizen from your community -- and bring them the public attention they deserve by nominating them for this year’s medal.

Here is an inspiring example of a hero honored last year:

• Ida Martin: Ida Martin created Bluffton Self Help to assist working families, disabled residents, and senior citizens in the Bluffton, South Carolina area when they suffered a financial crisis. In 2010 alone, Bluffton Self Help provided food to 11,600 people and clothing to almost 9,000 people. Additionally, Bluffton Self Help provided families with short-term emergency financial assistance toward housing and utility assistance, medical assistance, or children's program assistance. Martin received the Citizens Medal for providing relief to many in moments of despair.

If you know someone like Ida Martin, please take a moment to nominate him or her for the 2012 Citizens medal by April 24, 2012.

Nominees must be citizens of the United States, as required by the 1969 Executive Order. If you want to nominate someone for the 2012 Citizens Medal, please review the full criteria for this year's Medal. The deadline to submit is Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.