Country Manager - Peter Edmunds; 2008 Unsung Hero and member of local panel - Clarice Cotton; Unsung Heroes Country Coordinator - Gerard Pereira; 2009 Unsung Hero - Nigel Browne; 2005 Unsung Hero - Winston 'Zack' Nisbett

Each country finalist receives US$6,000, and the Regional Unsung Hero, selected from among the country finalists, wins a prize of US$7,500. The two regional runners-up receive US$5,000 as a donation to the their cause.

The Federation has never had a regional winner or runner-up. Individuals from the Central American country of Belize and the Windward Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have won the top award three times so far. In the seven years that the award has been given, the only other country to take the top honor is the Bahamas in 2003.

At the 2010 Unsung Heroes launch, held at the Ocean Terrace Inn on Monday, April 26, St. Kitts and Nevis Country Manager Peter Edmunds encouraged local participation through submission of entries before the June 30 deadline.

"Our Unsung Heroes are people recommended by you, the members of our communities," he said. "The bank does not select anyone. … Over the coming months you will see ads in the newspapers, informing of this project and inviting nominations from the public. We encourage all to nominate their Unsung Heros."

Edmunds informed that nomination forms would be available at all FirstCaribbean branches, as well as on the bank's Web site at: www.firstcaribbeanbank.com. Country awardees will be announced in October; Regional Heroes in November.

After acknowledging the individuals who have won awards prior to this year, Edmunds outlined the importance their importance to the locales where they reside.

"This 2010 FirstCaribbean Unsung Heroes programme will again seek out and acknowledge those persons in our communities who go about their community work without consideration for reward or acclaim," he said. "These individuals play an invaluable role in improving their communities. We all know them. They exist in almost every community, from small fishing villages to our larger nation's capitals. They come from all walks of life, and are recognized as community builders and enablers."

Gerard Pereira, the programme Country Coordinator, outlined the eligibility requirements for the award, as follows:
· Must be an individual dedicated beyond the ordinary towards social improvement
· Must be a Caribbean person
· No / low media profile
· The espoused cause could benefit from exposure
· Strong linkage with FirstCaribbean's theme of "Enriching Our Communities. Together"
· Willing to participate in a public relations programme

Among those excluded from receiving the award are individuals with high media profiles, such as politicians or other well-known personalities.

Pereira explained that on the local level, committees comprised of FirstCaribbean representatives and community leaders would select country finalists. In St. Kitts and Nevis, the 2010 selection committee members are: Mr. Nigel Browne, Ms. Karen Morton, Ms. Clarice Cotton, Ms. Rita Cable, and Mr. Chris Martin.

Browne is the country's 2009 Unsung Hero, selected for his tireless work with young people through his work to establish the Youth Impact Ministries in 1998, helping to raise awareness about important issues such as HIV/AIDS, and visiting young men in prison on a regular basis, among other noteworthy deeds.

The regional Unsung Hero and the two runner-ups are chosen by a judging panel led by prominent regional personalities, such as Sir Shridath Ramphal, Sir George Alleyne, and Sir Neville Nicholls.

The previous winners and runners-up for the award are listed below, by year:

2009
Regional Unsung Hero - Mr. John Roache, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Runner Up - Ms. Cynthia Stephenson, Dominica
Runner Up - Mr. Milton McLean, British Virgin Islands

2008
Regional Unsung Hero - Ms. Veolant Cupid, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Runner Up - Mr. Thomas Watts, Barbados
Runner Up - Patsy Thomas, Dominica
Special Commendation - Ms. Gwendolyn "Auntie Gwen" Chambers, Antigua and Barbuda

2007

Regional Unsung Heroes - Lyndon & Lavern Bailey, Belize
Runner Up - Ms. Rose Mary Compton, St. Lucia
Runner Up - Ms. Yolande Stewart, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

2006

Regional Unsung Hero - Mrs. Jestina Charles, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Runner Up - Ms. Laura Collymore, St. Lucia
Runner Up - Mr. Marvin Finlayson, The Bahamas
Special Commendation - Mr. Fabian Mitchell, Jamaica

2005

Regional Unsung Hero - Ms. Gloria Edwards, Belize
Runner Up - Ms. Cynthia Stanko, The Bahamas
Runner Up - Ms. Mavis Williams, The Cayman Islands

2004

Regional Unsung Hero - Nurse Margaret Juan, Belize
Runner Up - Mr. William Shagoury, Jamaica
Runner Up - Ms. Lucy Miguel, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

2003

Regional Unsung Hero - Ms. Rosa Mae Bain, The Bahamas
Runner Up - Mr. Rudolph Chesterfield Smith, Barbados
Runner Up - Ms. Regina Faustin, St. Lucia