The White Lily Awards are granted for outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of the city of Ełk. This is the eighth edition of the Competition, which was held for the first time in 2007 (for achievements in 2006).

The idea is to distinguish people who in a special way with their daily work, activity and commitment serve the city and its residents, contributing to the promotion of Ełk. The awards are granted to individuals, legal entities and other entities for special achievements in the previous calendar year or for lifetime achievement in one of eight categories:
1. Patron of Sport
2. Athlete of the Year
3. Artistic Award
4. Patron of Culture
5. Ambassador of Elk
6. Entrepreneur of the Year
7. An attitude worthy of imitation
8. Special Prize.

The submitted applications were evaluated by a chapter appointed for this purpose by the president of Ełk. This year, the chapter consisted of:
1. Helena Borowa – President of the Chapter
2. Stefan Węgłowski – Chairman of the Ełk City Council of the term 2010 – 2014
3. Artur Urbański – Deputy Mayor of Ełk
4. Jan Kosiorek
5. Alice Plum
6. Waldemar Surawski
7. Lukasz Lemieszko
8. Rafal Sulima
9. Romuald Szuliński

After considering the submitted applications, the jury awarded a total of 22 nominations. We met the winners during the White Lily Award Gala, which took place on December 10 at the Ełk Cultural Center. The awards were presented by the Mayor of Ełk Tomasz Andrukiewicz together with the Chairman of the Ełk City Council Dariusz Wasilewski and Stefan Węgłowski, Chairman of the City Council of the 2010-2014 term.

However, the ceremony began with a special event. The President of Ełk Tomasz Andrukiewicz thanked the hero of Ełk – Mr. Grzegorz Statkiewicz, who on Friday, December 5, saved an 11-year-old boy drowning in Ełk Lake.

The President expressed his appreciation for his courage and exemplary attitude. Despite the threat to his own life and health, Mr. Grzegorz hastened to help the drowning child. As a token of appreciation, the President gave Mr. Grzegorz a congratulatory letter and a material prize.

Overcoming fear and awareness of danger is an act that in times of increasing indifference and callousness towards another human being, deserves special recognition.

Nominees and winners of the White Lily Award 2013:

PATRON OF CULTURE:
1. Ełk Cultural Center – distinction

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR:
1. Prodeko – Ełk – Award

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
1. Krzysztof Modzelewski
2. Dominik Golak – distinction
3. Sylwester Jankowski
4. Anna Kotowicz – Prize

AMBASSADOR OF EŁK:
1. Elk Friends Club in Chicago – Award
2. Magdalena Kozłowska – Special Mention
3. Artur Gutowski

ARTISTIC AWARD:
1. ZgiEłk Theatre Group – distinction
2. Ewa Awramik and Marcin Pyciak – Special Mention
3. Municipal Brass Band OSP – Award
4. Senior Choir "Pojezierze"

SPECIAL PRIZE:
1. Blue Umbrella – Prize
2. Wojciech Kierwajtys – distinction
3. Waldemar Pawel Pieńkowski
4. Sister Bogdana – Stefania Orzechowska

PATRON OF SPORT:
1. Tomasz Chrzanowski – Award

AN ATTITUDE WORTH FOLLOWING:
1. Ełk Circle of the World Union of Home Army Soldiers – Award
2. Huber Górski – distinction
3. Joanna Lisowska – Award
4. Ewa Drzymkowska – Special Mention