Governor’s Weekly Message: Strengthening Our Communities by Serving Those in Need

(Wilmington, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell celebrates volunteerism in the First State during the annual Week of Service.
“From delivering meals to seniors to mentoring children and cleaning up public places, Delawareans annually perform more than 22 million hours of service, helping brighten the future for current and future generations,” said Governor Markell. “The Week of Service, isn’t just about the work we do one week out of the year. It’s about encouraging and inspiring Delawareans to continue to volunteer for the rest of the year.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube:https://youtu.be/wxGfHOxYgv8
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Strengthening Our Communities by Serving Those in Need


Governor’s Weekly Message: Recognizing the Generosity of Delawareans


(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, filmed at the Dover Boys & Girls Club, Governor Markell shares a Thanksgiving message of gratitude to individuals and organizations throughout Delaware who provide help and support to those in need.

“Each year as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s clear that we can be most thankful for the overwhelming kindness and generosity of Delawareans – people who are committed to serving the less fortunate and most vulnerable,” said Governor Markell. “We all have the opportunity to make the holiday season a little more joyous for others, and we should be inspired to act by the incredible efforts of the many Delawareans who take it upon themselves to lend a hand to those who need one.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8smPfhiRb0s
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

You can also view a copy of the Transcript: Recognizing the Generosity of Delawareans


Governor’s Weekly Message: Volunteer Efforts Increase Quality of Life for All


In his weekly message, Governor Markell recognizes organizations throughout the state that help people in need, as well as the individuals who volunteer their time and talents.
“Volunteering offers a sense of purpose and has shown to make us healthier too,” said Governor Markell. “Through volunteerism, we help ensure that assistance is there for our neighbors and communities when they need it – and that keeps Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/cXCtocANEVg
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Full text of Message:

The most important measure of progress for our state is whether we give as many Delawareans as possible the best chance to reach their potential. And government has an important role: ensuring access to a high quality education, protecting health, making our communities safer. But we must also recognize the vital efforts of our non-profit community and other organizations that help people in need and improve our quality of life.

I’ve been amazed and grateful for the work of initiatives like Project Renewal, which has renovated and refurbished Boys and Girls Clubs that serve low-income youth, and Habitat Humanity, which provides affordable housing for struggling families. Their success, and the success of hundreds of other programs, is a result of thousands of hours donated by generous Delawareans. We recognized some of their extraordinary work at the state’s annual Volunteer Service Awards, which showcased people like Marilee Bradley. For 45 years she has been dedicated to the Stockley Center in Georgetown, advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. At 92, she is still actively raising funds for projects and awareness about the center.  Other honorees are helping people recover from addiction, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s; working at free tax clinics; providing free legal aid to disabled veterans, and much more.

Volunteer opportunities exist for everyone to tap into their individual strengths. I urge you to get involved by visiting https://volunteer.delaware.gov. And remember those you help will not be the only ones who benefit. Volunteering offers a sense of purpose and has shown to make us healthier too. Through volunteerism, we help ensure that assistance is there for our neighbors and communities when they need it. And that keeps Delaware moving forward.


Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript: Volunteer Efforts Increase Quality of Life for All

The most important measure of progress for our state is whether we give as many Delawareans as possible the best chance to reach their potential. And government has an important role: ensuring access to a high quality education, protecting health, making our communities safer. But we must also recognize the vital efforts of our non-profit community and other organizations that help people in need and improve our quality of life.

I’ve been amazed and grateful for the work of initiatives like Project Renewal, which has renovated and refurbished Boys and Girls Clubs that serve low-income youth, and Habitat Humanity, which provides affordable housing for struggling families. Their success, and the success of hundreds of other programs, is a result of thousands of hours donated by generous Delawareans. We recognized some of their extraordinary work at the state’s annual Volunteer Service Awards, which showcased people like Marilee Bradley. For 45 years she has been dedicated to the Stockley Center in Georgetown, advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. At 92, she is still actively raising funds for projects and awareness about the center.  Other honorees are helping people recover from addiction, raising awareness about Alzheimer’s; working at free tax clinics; providing free legal aid to disabled veterans, and much more.

Volunteer opportunities exist for everyone to tap into their individual strengths. I urge you to get involved by visiting https://volunteer.delaware.gov. And remember those you help will not be the only ones who benefit. Volunteering offers a sense of purpose and has shown to make us healthier too. Through volunteerism, we help ensure that assistance is there for our neighbors and communities when they need it. And that keeps Delaware moving forward.


Governor Announces Delaware’s Outstanding Volunteers; Recipients Will Be Honored Oct. 14 at Ceremony in Dover

New Castle, DE – Twenty-one individuals and groups will be honored with the 2014 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award on Oct. 14 at Dover Downs. The people and organizations participate in such diverse activities as educating others about the environment, advocating for causes close to their hearts, and raising thousands of dollars for community organizations.

“Every day, we see the difference that volunteers make across our state,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “This year’s Volunteer Award recipients are just a few of the outstanding Delawareans who give their time and talents to make Delaware a better place to live and inspire others to do the same.”

The 2014 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards recipients represent the efforts of thousands of Delawareans who make positive contributions to society and inspire others to do the same.

More than 148,000 Delawareans volunteered in 2010, contributing 16.9 million hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service. Another 41,000 Delawareans volunteered informally by helping neighbors or working on community issues.

“As a state of neighbors, we can improve the lives of many by working together. By doing that, we create a positive and healthy future for all,” said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the state’s efforts to foster volunteerism and service. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in our state.”

On Oct. 14, more than 400 people are expected to honor the volunteers for their outstanding service at Dover Downs. The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 7. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by visiting www.volunteerdelaware.eventbrite.com. Information on the event and the winners is available on https://volunteer.delaware.gov

The Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Division of State Service Centers, the State Office of Volunteerism, as well as the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service.

The 2014 recipients:

PAUL WILKINSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

Marilee Bradley , Seaford

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

New Castle County

Henry Alisa, Hockessin, Human Needs

Tedd Cocker, Wilmington, Community Service

Lauren Gibson, Wilmington, Social Justice and Advocacy

Fran Peterson, Hockessin, Environment

Seth Ross, Hockessin, Environment

Cheryl Stump, Newark, Social Justice and Advocacy

Arthur Wilson, Wilmington, Environment

Kent County

Karen Waters, Felton, Community Service

Sussex County

James Angus, Frankford, Social Justice and Advocacy

Denise Emery, Lewes, Arts and Culture

Helen Pickford Daley, Rehoboth Beach, Community Service

GROUP WINNERS

New Castle – Group

Ardens’ Environmental Duo, Environment

AtTAcK Addiction, Health

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Delaware, 5+ years, Education

Delaware Jaycees, Community Service

Widener Law Veterans Law Clinic, Social Justice and Advocacy

Kent – Group

Educational Program Interpreters, Education

Mended Hearts Volunteers, Health

Sussex – Groups

Trap Pond Partners, Environment

Village Improvement Association, Community Service