HOUSTON -- KPRC Local 2 is pleased to announce that we are once again your local station for the Jefferson Awards. The award has been the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for public and community service for more than 30 years.

"It has been called by the folks who created it as the Nobel prize for volunteerism. It's really just to find those unsung heroes and honor them for their achievements," KPRC general manager Larry Blackerby said.

When it comes to public service, it does not matter how you give -- whether it's your time, your experience or just a piece of yourself.

What truly matters is that you do it.

"It takes a servant mentality that you are doing this for the purpose of helping another human being and could really care less who gets the credit," Houston Mayor Bill White said.

White said those who give may not be seeking credit. But as a community, it is important for us to give it.

"There are many good reasons to honor those who don't seek to be honored mostly because of what it says about the values of our society," White said.

"Houston would not be what it is without people doing things -- something about issues facing this community and there are people doing something every day," said Sylvia Brooks with the Houston Area Urban League.

So, to honor and encourage the "just do it" spirit, KPRC Local 2 is once again searching for Houston's best volunteers.

"You don't always hear about them, so the Jefferson Awards is going to be a real opportunity to distinguish these people," Brooks said.

"We are going to have a selection committee that is made up of a very broad base of this community that really looks at Houston's community. We are going to get nominations from every walk of life and every part of the city," Blackerby said.

So, now is your chance to recognize someone you think makes a difference in the lives of others.

"If it encourages other people to get out there and volunteer, we need that as a community," Blackerby said.

To nominate someone for a Jefferson Award, click here.