On May 24th, Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern honored Michigan's volunteers by hosting the 2004 Governor's Service Awards where they presented awards to seven individuals and organizations for their commitment to serving others.  A capacity crowd joined in the celebration, which was held at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids.  The festivities began with a private reception hosted by First Gentleman Mulhern and continued with a dinner honoring the winners, the award finalists, and the member of the Governor's Volunteer Service Honor Roll.  Suzanne Geha, anchor for Wood TV8, emceed the festivities

 The 2004 Award Winners and Finalists

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism

The 2004 award winner was Susan LeGalley of Marquette.  The award finalists were Rebecca Arenas of West Olive, Ed Havitz of Lake Leelanaue, Roseanne and Steve Heddy of Flint, and Sister Agnes Thiel of Grand Rapids.   

Exemplary Community Service Program Award

The 2004 award winner wastheSt. Peter's Free Clinic of Hillsdale.  The award finalists were Cambios, Inc. of Adrian, Michigan Habitat's AmeriCorps Program based in Lansing, St. Joseph Health System Volunteer's Courtesy Coach Program of Tawas City, and UAW-GM Community Outreach Team of Lansing. 

Exemplary Volunteer Service Award

The 2004 award winner was Sammye VanDiver of Detroit.  The award finalists were Dr. Carl Benner of Traverse City, Kristina Marshall of Lake Orion, Reverend Rodney Reinhart of Plymouth, Sammye VanDiver of Detroit, and Betty Welsh of Dearborn.

Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award

The 2004 award winner wasMcCrosky Marketing Communications of Kalamazoo. The award finalists were American 1 Federal Credit Union of Jackson, Budco of Highland Park, DTE Energy of Detroit, and National City of Kalamazoo.

Outstanding Mentor Award 

The 2004 award winner wasCal Steele of Spring Lake.   - The award finalists were John Cole of Sault Ste. Marie, Robert Mingus of Detroit, Richard Phillips of Kalamazoo, and Laurie Tarter of Sterling Heights.

Youth Volunteer Award of Excellence

The 2004 award winner wasJoLynn Miller of Bear Lake.  The award finalists were Nicole Dieterman of Chesterfield, Andrew Krupanksy of Novi, Lauren Neilson of East Lansing, and Nosayaba Osaigbobo of Detroit.  

Click here to read a brief biography of the winners' volunteer activities.

At the event, the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropywas also presented to James C. Acheson of Port Huron.

2004 Sponsors

The 2004 Governor's Service Awards were made possible by the generous contribution of our sponsors.  Thank you to the following organizations and individuals who are supporting the 2004 Governor's Service Awards.

Award Sponsors

DTE Energy Foundation

General Motors Corporation

Health Alliance Plan

Lear Corporation

MGM Grand

State Farm Insurance Company

Whirlpool Corporation

Reception Sponsor

Ford Motor Company

Governor's Champions

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network

Delta Dental Plan of Michigan

Table Sponsors

The Arab American Center for Economic and Social Services

CDL Training School

Jimmie Comer

ConnectMichigan Alliance

Corporation for National and Community Service

Council of Michigan Foundations

Detroit Pistons

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Valley State University

Habitat for Humanity of Michigan

F. Martin and Dorothy A. Johnson Family Fund / Grand Haven Area Community Foundation

Chris Kwak and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Mawby Family Fund / Battle Creek Community Foundation

Metro Bureau Services, Inc. and Metro Bureau Group Services, Inc.

Michigan Campus Compact

Michigan Nonprofit Association

Dr. Don and Mrs. Dee Newport