MARTINS FERRY — The public has until 11 p.m. Wednesday to nominate an essential worker or Good Samaritan from Belmont, Harrison, Jefferson or Monroe county who has lent a helping hand to others during COVID-19 and the recent winter weather.

The Times Leader, in partnership with Belmont Savings Bank, launched the Random Acts of Kindness/Essential Workers contest, and anyone can visit the newspaper’s website at timesleaderonline.com to nominate someone who has gone out of his or her way to be of help. The person selected through readers’ votes will win a gift card, and a donation will be made in their name to a local charity.

Voting takes place from March 19-31.

“Try nominating that special nurse, doctor, EMT, police officer, restaurant employee, teacher, that volunteer person that is always there to help,” said Joe Lovell, special events coordinator for the newspaper, who is heading up the contest. “That special person can be anybody, but they need your help to be nominated before (Wednesday).”

Alicia Freeman, marketing director at Belmont Savings Bank, asks the public to think of simple gestures, large and small, that someone might have performed.

“It doesn’t matter their age,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re younger or older, anyone can do a random act.”

She added there are many deserving people who have risen to the occasion, doing everything from shoveling another’s driveway to delivering groceries or giving a ride. And then there are the essential workers who respond whenever someone is in need.

“(Belmont Savings) Bank hopes The Times Leader receives a ton of applications, because we know that there are a lot of acts of kindness out there now, and you just need to nominate someone. Don’t be shy,” she said.

The nomination and voting process will be completed entirely through The Times Leader’s website, timesleaderonline.com.

People are encouraged to nominate anyone who is a resident of Belmont, Jefferson, Monroe or Harrison counties. No self-nominations will be accepted.

For more information, call Lovell at 740-633-1131, ext. 769, or email jlovell@theintelligencer.net.