NEW CASTLE (Feb. 26, 2019) – Nominations for the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards, which recognize the contributions of Delaware’s volunteers age 17 and younger in their communities, are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism now through April 5. Award recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on Tuesday, May 14, at Polytech Adult Education Conference Center in Woodside.
“Across our state, I am impressed by the passion that young people have for volunteerism,” said Governor John Carney. “They identify needs in their communities and are determined to come up with successful projects that meet those needs. I encourage Delawareans to take the time to nominate a young volunteer who is having a positive impact in our communities and in the lives of others.”
The awards honor the volunteerism of young Delawareans in the areas of arts and culture, community service, education, environment, health, human needs, public service and social justice/advocacy. Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2018, although prior volunteer activity can also be highlighted to show long-term commitment. To be eligible the nominated individuals and group members must be age 17 or younger.
“Through volunteerism and service, Delawareans of all ages can strengthen our social fabric, our quality of life and our very communities,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician and a regular volunteer. “Please join us in nominating the young people of our state who are making a difference in their communities by giving back.”
The nomination form is available on Volunteer.Delaware.gov. Nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov or calling (302) 857-5006. Prior to submission, you may email the nomination form for review and feedback.
Nominations must be delivered or mailed by Friday, April 5, to the State Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, c/o April Willey, Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901 or emailed to dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov.
In 2018, 15,118 Delawareans volunteered through community partners with the State Office of Volunteerism, contributing 647,848 hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations. In economic terms, those volunteers contributed nearly $16 million in service to Delaware and its residents.
The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor and are coordinated by the State Office of Volunteerism and the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.
“In honoring the contributions of time, compassion, and ingenuity by these young volunteers receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Youth Service Award, we recognize people helping their fellow Delawareans and see that we are building a stronger community through this service,” said Kanani Hines Munford, Executive Director, Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.
For more information about the awards or volunteer opportunities, go to volunteer.delaware.gov, or contact April Willey, Volunteer Service Administrator, at 302-857-5006 or via email april.willey@delaware.gov.