Today we launch our first Patch Good Neighbor Award, a way to recognize and thank those in our city who make it such a great place to live.

Nominations are wide open for the award, which comes with $50, just a little token of appreciation.

Maybe you want to nominate a non-profit employee who always gives that extra 10 percent above the 100 that’s asked. It could be a community volunteer. How about the teacher who does as much for the community outside the classroom as in it? Maybe it’s a youth coach who sacrifices his or her weekends to boost your child or a business leader who’s interested in the community at least as much as in profits.

Let’s get started. Who deserves some recognition? Tell us who and why in the comments below.

Or maybe it's just someone who goes out of the way to help in whatever little or big way possible.

The inaugural award went to Brian Rolek, who reports to the Walnut Creek YMCA each morning with lunch in his hand, a smile on his face and a quiet determination in his heart: Nobody, but nobody, is going work harder than he does — or have a better attitude while doing it.

So, let’s get started. Who deserves some recognition? Tell us who and why in the comments below.