The winners of the 2005 Governor's Service Awards were honored by Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern on June 18, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. 

"We are here tonight in a room full of heroes," said Governor Granholm as she addressed the capacity crowd.  "You give unselfishly of your time and talent and ask for nothing in return.  We owe you a debt of gratitude for all you do and the Governor’s Service Awards are just one small way we can say thank you.”

The Governor's Service Awards are given annually to individuals, businesses, and organizations to acknowledge their commitment to solving community issues through volunteerism. The following awards were presented (click here for a complete biography and photo of the winners.)

The Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism, which is the most prestigious of the Governor’s Service Awards, was presented to Rosemarie Herbert of Jackson. This award honors an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteer service—someone who has made service a way of life.  Rosemarie has lived her life as an advocate for the less fortunate and has worked tirelessly as a community leader and developer.  Never content just to help out, Rosemarie built new programs and then shared her expertise with others so they could carry on.  (Pictured above is Rosemarie Herbert (front) and (l-r) First Gentleman Mulhern, Roderick Gillum of the General Motors Corporation, the award sponsor, and Governor Jennifer Granholm)

The Exemplary Community Service Program Award was presented to Eaton Community Hospice of Charlotte.  This award honors an organization that effectively uses volunteers to meet its mission.  Eaton Community Hospice provides in home care and operates the Hospice House to ensure that the final stages of life for the terminally ill are peaceful.  The Eaton Community Hospice has 147 round the clock volunteers who serve ten hours a day, one to three days a week.

The Exemplary Volunteer Service Award was presented to Colleen Brothers of Pinckney.   This award honors an individual who strives to improve the lives of others—someone who goes the extra mile for their community.   She has been a Livingston County American Red Cross volunteer for 12 years.  As Disaster Chair, Colleen is available 24/7 to respond to disaster service calls.  She has personally responded to hundreds of disasters in the Livingston County area as well as national disasters.

The Innovative Mentoring Program Award was presented to the Esquire Mentoring and Leadership Program of Flint, a program of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  This award honors a program that has found a unique and effective approach to mentoring children.  Esquires began in 1997 with five young men and currently serves 39 young men in grades nine through 12.  Participants are expected to excel academically, set and achieve goals, be responsible for their actions, and perform monthly community service projects.

For the first time in the history of the Governor’s Service Awards, there was a tie.  For the Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award, the winners were the General Motors Corporation of Detroit and the Kalamazoo Kings Professional Baseball Club.  This award honors businesses that demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship by giving back to their community through corporate volunteer programs, monetary contributions, in-kind gifts, and employee-driven volunteer service.  General Motors was selected because it recognizes the importance of supporting the many communities in Michigan and around the world where they do business.  The Kalamazoo Kings were honored because their organization is built upon the foundation of giving back to the community.

The Outstanding Mentor Award was presented to Ron French of Michigamme.   This award honors an individual who has made a significant difference in a child’s life through mentoring.  Ron has mentored three young men during his 14 years as a mentor.  With his love, support, and guidance, all three boys are growing in to well-rounded young men. 

The Senior Volunteer Award of Excellence was presented to Mary Walker of Mancelona.  This award honors a senior citizen who has taken action to make her or his community a better place to live.  Ms. Walker is a 70-year-old retired social worker.  She volunteers with Hospice American Camping Association, the Kalkaska Chamber of Commerce, and the Village of Kalkaska.

The Youth Volunteer Award of Excellence was presented to Hamilton Harris of Southfield.  This award honors a young person who has taken action to make his or her community a better place to live.  He is a 17-year-old senior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.  He began volunteering as a Cub Scout at age seven and has been an active Boy Scout for ten years.  Hamilton has earned 25 merit badges and achieved the Eagle Scout Award at age 14.

Two other awards were also presented at the dinner.  Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Public Schools won the coveted Carter Partnership Award as the most outstanding campus-community partnership in Michigan.  Margaret Ann Reicker won the Russell G. Mawby award for Philanthropy.

The Governor’s Service Awards / Carter Partnership Award, hosted by the Governor, First Gentleman Daniel Granholm Mulhern, and Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter is made possible through the generous contributions of corporate sponsors.  The Premier sponsors are DTE Energy Foundation, Ford Motor Company Fund, General Motors Corporation, GMAC Financial Services, Lear Corporation, and Whirlpool Corporation.  The Pacesetter sponsors are Health Alliance Plan, Meijer, Pfizer, UAW-DaimlerChrysler National Training Center, UAW-Ford National Programs Center, UAW-GM Center for Learning, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.  The Campus Hero sponsors are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, Community Foundations of Michigan, Consumers Energy, Delphi Corporation, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, MGM Grand Detroit Casino, Standard Federal, and State Farm Insurance Company.

At a private reception prior to the dinner, the Governor and First Gentleman presented special tributes to all 40 award finalists. 

The Governor’s Service Awards winners were selected from five finalists in each award category.  Friends, relatives, and colleagues submitted more than 260 nominations to pay tribute to individuals and organizations they feel exemplify the spirit of volunteer service.  An objective peer review panel and the Michigan Community Service Commission, the organization that manages the event, Board of Commissioners selected the finalists and winners.