Port St. Lucie - The last day to submit nominations for United for Families' Community Service Award to Stop the Tears is September 11.

Nominations may come from anywhere throughout the four-county area. Nomination applications are available online at www.unitedforfamilies.org or by calling 398-2920 Ext. 298.

Applications should include a narrative describing the impact of the nominee's community support and good works as it relates to child welfare. The total application may include supporting documents, such as letters of support, and should be no more than five pages.

The Community Service Award to Stop the Tears, a name that echoes United for Families' rallying call to end child abuse, will bepresented to an individual whose contributions of time, effort or wealth have significantly advanced United for Families' mission to break the cycle of child abuse.

The award will be given October 24, during United for Families' annual gala, the Toyota of Stuart Le Bal Masque. United for Families has presented its annual Dependency Case Manager of the Year award during the event for the past three years. That award recognizes the efforts of social work professionals who work within the system.

United for Families is the non-profit organization that coordinates and oversees child-welfare services in St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.

For information about United for Families or the nomination process, please call Christina Kaiser at 398-2920 Ext. 298, or visit www.unitedforfamilies.org.