The purpose of the Atheist Alliance Community Cooperation Award is to encourage groups to interact in a positive way with their local communities. This annual award of $500 is given to a Freethought organization that demonstrates a positive image, ethical behavior, and cooperation with its larger community.

AAI had a number of well-qualified entries for the 2006 award, the first ever. Based on its activities during 2005, Atheists and Other Freethinkers of Sacramento (www.aofonline.org) was selected by the Awards Committee as having had a most impressive list of achievements accomplishments for the year. AOF had, for example:

• Cooperated with Arthiksamata in India to donate $845 for tsunami relief
• Provided volunteers to a community meals program 4 times throughout 2005
• For the 10th consecutive year, maintained their two-mile stretch of adopted highway for which they were noted in the local press as "citizens of the community"
• Conducted a silent auction raising $400 for a local emergency shelter for children
• Organized a Freethought Day with cooperation from the Mayor's office, the public library, voter registration and more
• Co-produced a Darwin Birthday Educational Gala along with 2 universities, 1 college, and 4 other community organizations
• Provided 15 volunteers for the local public TV station fund drive
• Earned 27 credits at the local blood bank for donations of blood and plasma

Atheist Alliance International will be accepting applications for its 2007 Community Cooperation Award (based on a group's 2006 activities) in early February. Check the website by year's end for further information and an application form.