BOULDER - Five organizations received NOVA Awards for their innovation in nonprofit programs and projects from the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County at its annual Community Stars luncheon held Sept. 8

Also, Joyce Davis received the Stan Black Award for a lifetime of service to the nonprofit community, and Pat Shoemaker received the Pat on the Back Award posthumously.

Davis has served the Boulder County community for 50 years, playing a pivotal role in both the progress and the preservation of the community. In 1971, Joyce began a local movement that lead to the formation of Historic Boulder, Inc. Right away Joyce was part of efforts that saved two of Boulder's most historic buildings: the Union Pacific Depot and the Highland School.

Shoemaker gave extraordinary but often unsung volunteer time in caring for the community. A "pink lady" volunteer for the Boulder Community Hospital for 28 years, Pat also produced monthly original craft displays for the hospital. Pat was the Boulder Community Hospital Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 1983 and was honored as the Colorado Auxilian of the year in 1984.

NOVA Award winners in their respective categories are:

Arts: Colorado Film Society - "Boulder International Film Festival": The centerpiece of the Colorado Film Society, the Boulder International Film Festival, was founded in order to offer audiences a unique opportunity to see films from all corners of the world and to learn from a diverse group of filmmakers

Civic: Circle of Care - "Elder Enrichment Program": Circle of Care was founded to provide a creative, sustainable model for aging in a vibrant community and thereby end the plague of isolation, loneliness and boredom often experienced by senior citizens in Boulder County. Through inspired community and volunteer partnerships, Circle of Care provides tickets to high caliber cultural and academic programming and social/civic opportunities for Boulder County Seniors along with assisted transportation and companions.

Education: Alternatives for Youth Inc.: Alternatives for Youth serves underserved and disadvantaged youth in Longmont with the goal of promoting academic persistence and keeping kids in school through graduation.

Environment: Growing Gardens - "Children's Peace Garden": Growing Gardens' mission is to enrich the lives of Boulder County residents through environmentally sustainable gardening programs that empower people to experience a direct and deep connection with plants, the land and each other. The Children's Peace Garden was started in 2000. When children take responsibility for their learning and what they accomplish with the skills acquired, as well as witnessing their own contributions to the whole, confidence is instilled in their abilities to overcome challenges and thrive in their environments.

Health and Human Services: Veterans Helping Veterans Now: Veterans Helping Veterans Now connects veterans in need of assistance with veteran volunteers, for mutual fellowship and service. It provides training and support groups for volunteer veterans, matches volunteer veterans with veterans who need some support, assist with transportation needs, provides referrals and provides support groups for female veterans and the families of veterans."