The Harold Koon Award

History On July 6, 1998, the City of Charleston and the neighborhood of Mazyck-Wraggborough Garden District lost a remarkable and dedicated community volunteer, Harold Koon. It was announced at a memorial service on July 18, 1998, that Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. had created an award to annually honor "Someone who embodies the traits which made Harold such a wonderful leader and neighbor." Mayor Riley, friends and neighbors knew Harold Koon as a dedicated citizen. "He walked every inch of his neighborhood looking for ways to improve it and help his neighbors," said Mayor Riley, "The Chapel Street Triangle and many street trees he urged neighbors to place in front of their homes were the result of his vision to further enhance the neighborhood. He picked up trash, organized neighborhood celebrations, went door to door with information for residents, planned major events for the benefit of the neighborhood and, in general, provided a personal link from neighbor to neighbor. His energy and enthusiasm were wonderful."

The Award The Harold Koon Award is a permanent plaque placed in City Hall with the name of the annual winner who is also given a plaque to keep. The Neighborhood Commission, composed of representatives of each City Council district, will select the winner. The award will be presented by the Mayor of the City of Charleston at the last January meeting of City Council.

Nominations will be accepted December 1 through December 31 annually. Public notice will be made through a City of Charleston media release to the general public and by mail to neighborhood associations with Neighborhood Council status.

Who can be nominated? Any resident of Charleston who has demonstrated continuous outstanding volunteer service to the neighborhood in which they live.

Who can nominate? Any neighborhood association or individual

Nominating Procedures

Nominations should be mailed to:
Neighborhood Services
75 Calhoun Street, 3rd Floor
Charleston, SC 29401

Nominations accepted December 1 - December 31.

All nominations will remain the property of the City of Charleston and will not be returned.

Supporting documentation to illustrate a nomination, such as photos, newspaper or newsletter articles may be submitted. All supporting documentation will remain the property of the City of Charleston and will not be returned.

Judging Members of the City of Charleston Neighborhood Commission shall review the nominations and select a winner annually in January. Criteria shall be weighted according to importance as established by the Neighborhood Commission:

* Significant and continuous volunteer service to the neighborhood, not a onetime activity.
* Active, personal involvement.
* Measurable time commitment.
* Demonstrated creativity and innovation while improving the neighborhood and/ or in resolving neighborhood problems.
* Demonstrated ability to work with city, county, and/or state officials in improving the neighborhood and/or resolving neighborhood problems.
* Activities significantly benefited and enhanced the neighborhood and improved the quality of neighborhood life.

Examples of activities: neighborhood beautification, preservation efforts, environmental enhancement, housing rehabilitation, service to the elderly, assistance to neighborhood schools or public libraries, crime watch activities, neighborhood fund raising, grass roots efforts, mobilizing neighborhood volunteers, neighborhood park or playground improvements, cultural development of the art forms.

Notification of Winners The nominator of the winner and the winner of the award will be notified by the Neighborhood Commission. The Mayor of the City of Charleston will announce the winner in a media release after notification of the winner.

Presentation of Award Plaque to the Winner The Harold Koon Award will be presented at the last January City Council meeting. The name of the winner will be added to a permanent plaque to be placed in City Hall.

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