Over 150 individuals and groups received Governor’s Volunteer Awards from Governor Terry E. Branstad during a special recognition ceremony held June 29 in Cedar Falls at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at the University of Northern Iowa.
The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. The program has grown from a small program only available to state agencies to its present function of providing all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy and effective way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level recognition award.
Volunteers may be nominated for an award in one of several categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service, or Disaster Volunteer. More than 700 volunteers were selected for awards in 2012 throughout the state.
“Iowa is currently ranked second in the nation for its state volunteerism rate, which is most certainly a direct result of the devotion of Iowa’s volunteers,” said Governor Branstad. “I am honored to have this opportunity to personally thank this year’s award recipients for donating their time and talent to help their fellow Iowans and make a tremendous difference in our state.”
Lauren Finke, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley Director states, “The outreach we have seen in our community is huge. This event is a great opportunity to say thank you to the hundreds individuals that are making a big difference right here in the Cedar Valley.”
Guests were welcomed by pianist recent East High Graduate Christopher Walton and Lauren Finke, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley Executive Director. Ron Steele emceed the event introducing Governor Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.
The annual “Volunteering in America” study, released each June, details the millions of hours that volunteers in Iowa collectively contribute. The estimated annual economic impact of that service is well over $1 billion. The entire report can be viewed at http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/.
The Governor’s Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor’s Office in partnership with the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.
Congratulations Volunteers!
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