Life savers and helpers - people living out the idea of community spirit - receive the Tribune Awards on the first day of each new year.

The 2005 Tribune Awards went to Steven Dosch for "doing every day things that are important for all,"to Jason Bader, Rob DeKrey and Zach Hay for rescuing people from a burning building, to Sgt. 1st Class Shayne Beckert and Capt. Grant Wilz from the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion for helping an Iraqi woman and her children after her husband died while working for the soldiers, and to long-time Open Your Heart volunteer John Coyne.

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Tribune Awards.

The criteria suggest individuals or groups who have done something heroic or charitable. The award can go to someone for a single act or for a lifetime of good deeds and effort on behalf of others. It can go to someone for doing handyman tasks for those who can't do for themselves, or starting a program to fill a community need, or aiding someone in a car accident.

The idea is for readers to nominate ordinary people who have done something pretty extraordinary, something truly good. Nominations can be made by readers and community groups. Tribune reporters and editors will also make nominations based on the stories that they encountered during the year.

The deadline for nominating people for this year's Tribune Awards is Dec. 15.

Forward entries to: Tribune Awards, P.O. Box 5516, Bismarck, N.D., 58502, or ken.rogers@;bismarcktribune.com.

The Tribune Awards were first presented in 1987. The award winners are announced Jan. 1.

- Ken Rogers