By BARBARA DICKEN
Director of Development, REAL Services

SOUTH BEND — REAL Services Inc. will once again celebrate unsung heroes in Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall and St. Joseph Counties.

These heroes are people from all walks of life, including individuals, families, neighbors, businesses, church groups, service clubs and anyone else who cares for the elderly, disabled and low-income populations in the community.

Nominations are being accepted for eight award categories: Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Caregiver of the Year, Professional of the Year, Hoosier Lifetime Award, Change Agent of the Year, Agency/Program Serving Low-income Award and Sgt. Shriver Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominees in each category will be honored and receive a complimentary reservation to the 2016 Age of Excellence awards  luncheon, ticket discount for one attendee and a certificate acknowledging their kind acts to those in need.

Doors to the luncheon open at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the Century Center, South Bend with live music. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be CBS news anchor and New York Times best selling author Jane Pauley.

The general public is invited to attend.

To view category details, nominate a caregiver or someone who serves low-income populations, make luncheon reservations or for additional information, visit the REAL Services website, call (574) 284-7104  or email  [email protected]. The deadline to submit nominations is4 p.m. Friday, March 18.