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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt"><FONT face=Calibri>For Immediate Release<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face=Calibri size=3>October 6, 2009</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><FONT face=Calibri size=3>Contact: Steve Hollis, Manager – Division of Human Services</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><FONT face=Calibri size=3>573.874.7488 or </FONT><A href="mailto:ocs@GoColumbiaMo.com"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>ocs@GoColumbiaMo.com</FONT></A><FONT face=Calibri size=3> </FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>Nominations Currently Being Accepted for 13<SUP>th</SUP> Annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><BR><FONT size=3><FONT face=Calibri>The Division of Human Services is now accepting nominations for the 13<SUP>th</SUP> Annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards. The awards show appreciation for individuals, families, organizations and groups who have had significant impact in our community in promoting diversity and cultural understanding.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>The awards will be presented at the 17<SUP>th</SUP> Annual Columbia Values Diversity Celebration on Thursday, January 14, 2010 and recognize people whose work in our community exemplifies the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by fostering individual dignity, racial equality, understanding, peacemaking and solving problems through non-violence.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>Two awards will be presented: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Calibri size=3>One individual/family award, and</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Calibri size=3>One organization/group award.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri size=3>The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 27, 2009. Nomination forms are available by calling the Division of Human Services at (573) 874-7488 (v) or 874-7356 (tty) or on the web at: www.GoColumbiaMo.com<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Go Word:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>GoDiversityCelebration)</FONT></P>
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<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face="Trebuchet MS"><FONT size=4>Genalee Alexander</FONT><BR>Regional Public Information Officer</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face="Trebuchet MS"><STRONG>Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services</STRONG></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>1005 West Worley</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>PO Box 6015</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>Columbia MO 65205-6015</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>573.874.7632</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://gocolumbiamo.com/Health/index.php"><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=2>http://gocolumbiamo.com/Health/index.php</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=4><STRONG>Want flu information? Visit </STRONG></FONT><A href="http://www.fighttheflumo.com/"><FONT face="Trebuchet MS" size=4><STRONG>www.FightTheFluMO.com</STRONG></FONT></A> </DIV></BODY></HTML>