West Virginians are encouraged to pay-it-forward this National Volunteer week by nominating a local hero for a Governor’s Service Award. The Governor’s Service Awards, the state’s most prestigious volunteer award, honor individuals and organizations who roll up their sleeves to solve community problems in an innovative way.
“National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the power of volunteerism,” said Heather Foster, executive director of Volunteer West Virginia. “West Virginia’s volunteers are a humble and powerful force that hold our communities together. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize local heroes who have gone above and beyond.”
In recent years, recipients improved their communities in many creative ways. Some examples include: establishing a day center for the homeless; initiating neighborhood activities and support for older citizens; and incubating ideas and enthusiasm for community revitalization projects.
Outstanding West Virginian individuals and organizations, that are selected as recipients of the 2016 awards, will be honored at a special banquet at the Culture Center in Charleston on Sept. 6. The event is coordinated by Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service.
Any individual, organization, or family in West Virginia actively engaged in voluntary service benefiting the state may be nominated. There are no age restrictions for nominees. Nomination forms are available on Volunteer West Virginia’s web site, www.volunteerwv.org, or by calling 304-558-0111. Nominations should be submitted online or postmarked by 5 p.m. on May 6.
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, 2016, is about taking action and encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.