Thursday, Dec. 6 is the nomination deadline for non-profit organizations that wish to nominate their outstanding volunteers to be honored at the annual Women in Service Celebration hosted by Zonta Club of the Santa Clarita Valley.

This year’s Women in Service brunch is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at The Oaks (formerly Valencia TPC Golf Club).

Nomination forms were sent to more than 40 local non-profit organizations in October, with a posted deadline of Dec. 6. Zonta has already received a handful of early nominations and expects some 15 to 18 total nominations by the deadline.

“Even though we sent out the nomination forms in October, we realize that some may have gotten caught up in the holiday rush and other organizations simply need more time to get their nominees approved at all levels of their organization,” said Zontian Judy Penman, who is co-chairing this year’s event with club member Mary Ree.

“We wanted to be sure that all organizations that wish to participate will have the opportunity,” Ree said. “If we know that an organization is getting a nominee approved, we will hold off on selecting the Carman Sarro winner until all of the expected nominations are received.”

All nominees will be guests of Zonta at the brunch and will be recognized, along with their nominating organization, before the final Carmen Sarro winner is announced.

The “Carmen Sarro Award for Improving the Status of Women Through Community Service” honors longtime Zonta member Carmen Sarro, who died in 2003. The award goes to the nominee whom the Women in Service Committee selects as the most outstanding volunteer among this year’s nominees.

During her life, Sarro was honored for her dedication to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital volunteer activities, to the Canyon Theatre Guild, to the Boys and Girls Club and to the City of Santa Clarita. In 1985, Sarro was selected as “Woman of the Year.”

Sarro was a member of the local Zonta Club for more than 25 years. During that time, she served as president two times, led the area clubs as director, and served the district as secretary.

The Women in Service Celebration allows community organizations to recognize women throughout the Santa Clarita Valley who, through their leadership, have made a difference in the community, especially in improving the lives of women. Each participating organization nominates one member, who is honored for her contribution by Zonta. From the nominations, one person will be selected for the Carmen Sarro Award.

Zonta is inviting non-profits to re-nominate an individual who has been nominated in the past but did not receive the Carmen Sarro Award. Organizations which work with young people are encouraged to nominate their outstanding young women volunteers, as long as they are 16 years or older.

Nomination forms are available to community organizations online at www.scvzonta.org by clicking on “Events” and then “Women in Service,” or by calling the Zonta message line at 661-252-9351.

Hard copies of the nomination form received in the mail in October may also be returned by mail. Completed nominations must be received (not postmarked) by Dec. 6, and individual guest reservations will be available for friends and relatives who wish to attend to support a nominee. Reservation forms will be sent to organizations when they submit a nomination.

For the second year, Zonta also is inviting a limited number of businesses or individuals to donate $100 as community sponsors of the event. Priority will be given to women-owned businesses and local women who are personally considered leaders in the community. Sponsors will receive an ad in the program on the day of the event and will be acknowledged from the podium during the program.