CANTON — The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for one of the most prestigious honors in the community.

The First Citizen of Cherokee County title honors a man or woman who has resided in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to his or her community through family, civic and religious involvement.

The 2012 recipient will be the 38th First Citizen and the award will be presented at the Chamber’s 42nd annual banquet on Jan. 24, 2013.

“It is an honor for the Chamber to honor someone in the community who has gone above and beyond in service,” said Pam Carnes, president of the Cherokee Chamber. “In some instances it is a long-time resident and in other instances it is someone who is newer to the community and has given back.”

Carnes urged those who know of someone who would be a good candidate to make a nomination for the award.

“We want to encourage people to submit nominations,” Carnes said. “The background information is very important because it makes the judges’ job possible. But even if you don’t know everything about someone, consider making a nomination.”

A panel of out-of-town judges reviews the accomplishments of each applicant and the winner is chosen based on merit, Carnes said.

“There are those who give and are not always recognized and how wonderful it is to have the Chamber recognize the First Citizen for what that person has done for the community,” she said. “This is not just for the Chamber, but for the community at large and we hope the community will respond.”

The 2013 honoree will join a prestigious list of Cherokee residents that includes former Canton physician Dr. Grady Coker, who was the initial recipient in 1971 along with business and community leader JoEllen Wilson who was chosen as the 2012 First Citizen.

The First Citizen program went defunct in 1986 and was revamped in 1992 when retired Georgia Power area manager Bill Wester was chosen as the 17th recipient, Carnes said in a release.

First Citizen applications are available at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 3605 Marietta Highway in Canton, or at www.CherokeeChamber.com.

All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Dec. 10.

For information contact the Chamber at (770) 345-0400.