(NAPSI)-Do you know someone who does good with wood? They may qualify for an award program that recognizes and rewards those who improve their community by working with wood. Nominations for the program, called the Minwax Community Craftsman Award, are now being accepted from individuals and organizations wishing to nominate themselves or someone in their community. The grand-prize winner receives a cash grant of $5,000, a supply of Minwax products and a working consultation with author, television personality and wood-finishing expert Bruce Johnson.

Who's Eligible? Whether it's an after-school program that teaches basic woodworking and furniture-making skills to underprivileged children or an individual who volunteers time teaching woodworking to the visually impaired, past winners have all shown the pride and satisfaction that comes from working with wood and improving their community. Eligible participants include individuals, community groups, schools and associations that engage in an activity that involves, but is not limited to, wood finishing. Last Year's Winner Salem High School's Woods Technology students of Salem, Ohio, the 2004 grand-prize winners, not only used their woodworking skills to raise funds for several local charities, they did numerous fix-it projects to improve their school and also set up a mentoring woodworking program for their special-needs classmates.

"Over the years, we've been amazed to see how many people are using traditional woodworking and wood-finishing skills to contribute to their community. There's something very satisfying about using your hands to create a useful and beautiful object for others," says Dominick Pisciotta, vice president of marketing, Sherwin-Williams Wood Care Group. In addition to the grand prize, two runners-up will receive a supply of Minwax products. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2005. The winners will be announced in April of 2006.

Applicants are urged to send a written summary outlining the woodworking project and how it contributed to the betterment of their community. Photos are optional, but encouraged. Entries should be addressed to Minwax Community Craftsman Award, c/o Brushfire, Inc., 110 South Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981. For more information, visit minwax.com. Nominations Wanted-You or your organization may be awarded a $5,000 cash grant.