Official Press Release: “Governor Announces 2009 Volunteerism and Community Service Award Recipients”. You may visit the original link or read the full release below.
———- Official Release from www.governor.virginia.gov ———-
Governor Announces 2009 Volunteerism and Community Service Award Recipients
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced recipients of the 2009 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards. These awards highlight the efforts of outstanding citizens of the Commonwealth who seek to enhance the lives of others in their communities. The awards are presented to groups, individuals and families whose efforts exemplify extraordinary volunteer service.
“I offer sincere congratulations to the volunteers who made a difference in the lives of others this year,” said Governor Kaine. “When we serve our community as volunteers, our unique skills, perspectives and experience make us a stronger Commonwealth.”
The 2009 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award winners by category are:
- AMERIGROUP Corporation, Virginia Beach: Business Award. AMERIGROUP instituted a company-wide volunteerism program called “RealCaring,” comprised of three components: Volunteer Circle, Disaster Response Team and Capacity Building.
- John A. Wilson, Williamsburg: Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery Award. Mr. Wilson is an emergency services volunteer serving in the Citizen Corps Council, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Auxiliary, Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross and the James City County Office of Emergency Management.
- Patricia McCormick, Williamsburg: Faith-based Organization Award. Ms. McCormick works at the Grove Christian Outreach Center that serves an impoverished area in James City County.
- Bruce and Debra Beale, Charlottesville: Family Award. Mr. and Mrs. Beale work to improve the lives of refugees who have resettled in Charlottesville through the International Rescue Committee.
- Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Blacksburg: Government/Education Award. During the past fall semester, the cadets volunteered more than 3,600 service hours in the community through fundraising events, speaking engagements and direct service projects.
- Harry Blackwell, Hampton: National Service Individual Award. Mr. Blackwell serves the students at Cooper Elementary School as a volunteer with the Peninsula Foster Grandparent Program.
- The Phoenix Project – Learn and Serve Social Media Technology Program, Springfield: National Service Program Award. The Phoenix Project, together with its partners, Craigslist Foundation and George Mason University, has initiated a program to research, develop and implement effective social media tools to mobilize students more efficiently to meet the needs of citizens in economically distressed communities.
- Volunteer Emergency Families for Children, Midlothian: Nonprofit Group Award. VEFC maintains approximately 150 families across the Commonwealth to provide short-term shelter care and mentoring for abused, neglected, runaway, homeless and at-risk children.
- Ann Quinn, Gloucester Point: Senior Volunteer Award. Ms. Quinn works with the Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic, which serves low-income, medically uninsured residents of Gloucester and Mathews counties.
- Carolyn LeCroy, Norfolk: Volunteer Award. After serving 14 months in prison, Ms. LeCroy utilized her skills and talents as a media producer to create “The Messages Project” as a way to help incarcerated mothers and fathers maintain important family bonds with their children.
- Ashley Louise Gregory, Mechanicsville: Youth Volunteer Award. At 15, Ms. Gregory, founded Ashley’s Angels, a free dance camp for children with disabilities. In addition, she is actively involved with numerous other charitable organizations serving children.
Governor Kaine has proclaimed April 19 – 25 as Volunteer Week in Virginia. As a prelude to the recognition week, these individuals and organizations were presented their awards during a special awards ceremony April 15 in Richmond. The Governor’s Advisory Board on National and Community Service, Virginia Corps and the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Office on Volunteerism and Community Service hosted the ceremony.
At least 1.7 million Virginians volunteer their time and talents annually. Virginians average nearly 243 million volunteer hours, equaling more than $4 billion dollars worth of service to the state. For more information about the awards and Volunteer Week in Virginia, visit www.vaservice.org.