The Honolulu Advertiser and Hawaii News Now want to recognize the everyday heroes, the ones who volunteer without thought of attention or personal gain, for the annual Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Nominations are being accepted now through Feb. 26. The program, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former U.S. Sen. Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard, has developed into the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for public and community service. To nominate someone, go to www.honoluluadvertiser.com and click on the logo to nominate a local hero — or visit www.hawaiinewsnow.com and search for Jefferson Award — then e-mail your nomination form to jeffer sonawards@beckercommunications.com. Or fax your nomination to 808-537-4990 or mail it to The Jefferson Awards, 119 Merchant St., Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813.

A panel of judges will review the nominations and select five recipients to be recognized in April. One person will be selected to represent Hawai'i at a national awards ceremony in Washington.