DOVER (July 18, 2019) – Nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism through Friday, Aug. 16. These awards recognize the important contributions made by Delaware’s volunteers to their communities. Award recipients will be honored Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center.

“Thousands of Delawareans give their time and effort each year, volunteering in their communities and working to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Gov. John Carney. “Their selfless work to help others also builds a better Delaware for all of us. And though they do this work without thought of reward or recognition, these annual awards are a chance for us to say thank you and to highlight their contributions.”

The awards honor Delawareans’ volunteerism in the areas of:

• Arts/culture
• Community service
• Economic opportunity
• Education/literacy
• Environment
• Health and special needs
• Healthy futures
• Human needs
• Public service
• Social justice/advocacy
• Veterans/military families

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 18 or older.

“Volunteers across our state make a difference in the lives of people in need and in communities at risk,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Their selfless acts empower so many other lives and contribute to a stronger and healthier Delaware for all of us. I encourage Delawareans to nominate outstanding volunteers in our state so we can honor that unwavering spirit of connection.”

In addition, the Paul Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a nominee who has had a longtime commitment to volunteerism. Wilkinson was a member of the Delaware Governor’s Council on Volunteerism starting in 2000 until 2004, when legislation transformed the Council into a Commission, and continued serving until 2008. He passed away on Jan. 17, 2009. His legacy and dedication to serving others continues through the award named in his honor.

“The 2019 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards provides an excellent opportunity for Delawareans to nominate those extraordinary groups and individuals who lighten the burdens of others through their dedicated and ongoing service,” said Kanani Hines Munford, Senior Administrator for the State Office of Volunteerism and Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. “Now is the time to nominate individuals and groups for their exemplary service.”

The nomination form is available online at https://volunteer.delaware.gov/. For more information, nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov or calling 302-857-5006.

Nominations that are not submitted online must be delivered or mailed by Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, 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 almost $16 million in service to Delaware and its residents.

“We are, as always, grateful for the services provided by the countless volunteers that donate their time, efforts and talents to the very same communities served by the Division of State Service Centers and the Department of Health and Social Services,” said Renée P. Beaman, Director of the Division of State Service Centers. “Each day, our staff members work to protect vulnerable populations and it is often these very same populations served by the volunteers we are seeking to recognize and honor.”

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer 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.

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 at april.willey@delaware.gov.

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

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