2017 Governor's Service Awards to be held Aug. 21 at Detroit Opera House

Volunteers throughout Michigan demonstrate the power of giving and caring every day. To help recognize these dedicated individuals, the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) and the Office of the Governor will celebrate the 2017 Governor’s Service Awards on Aug. 21 at the Detroit Opera House. The event will also commemorate the MCSC's 25th anniversary. 

Since 1994, Michigan's Governor and her/his spouse have been hosting the Governor's Service Awards to pay tribute to outstanding volunteers from across Michigan. These volunteers demonstrate the power of giving and caring every day, and the Governor's Service Awards are one small way we can thank them for their commitment.  Although volunteers don't expect accolades, we know volunteer recognition leads to volunteer retention. This will be Gov. Snyder’s seventh year of involvement in the Governor’s Service Awards, which were launched by Gov. John Engler in 1992 and maintained by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm during her terms in office.

“The comeback of Michigan isn’t because of one person, it’s the fact that we work together,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Many Michiganders give their time to volunteer and put their heart and soul into doing something special for someone else, and that deserves recognition.

Governor’s Service Awards winners are selfless individuals and organizations who mentor and tutor children, serve the hungry and homeless, assist the elderly, care for our environment, and much more. Awards may be presented to nominees in 11 categories for significant service contributions.

Read about the 2017 Governor's Service Award winners.

• Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: honors an individual who has shown a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteerism.
• Lifetime Humanitarian Award: honors individuals or families that have demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding civic and charitable responsibility to a community or organization.
• Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: honors individuals age 65 and older who have taken action to make their community a better place to live through service.
• Volunteer of the Year Award: honors an individual who strives to improve the lives of neighbors, friends, community or congregation through volunteerism.
• Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: honors individuals who are age 25 or younger who have already begun making a significant difference in their community through service.
• Mentor of the Year Award: honors an individual who provides youth (25 and under) with the confidence and assets to be successful.
• Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award: honors service clubs, nonprofit, faith-based, veteran, disaster preparedness and other organizations that make a demonstrated difference in their community.
• Education Service Leader Award: honors schools, colleges, universities and other organizations that support youth making a difference in their communities.
• Outstanding National Service Program Award: honors organizations that provide a high-quality national service program that yields a significant impact in a Michigan community.
• Corporate Community Leader Award: honors corporations and businesses that excel in community involvement and demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship by giving back to their community in a variety of ways.
• Small Business Community Leader: honors businesses making a difference in their communities and supporting employee-driven volunteer service.

MCSC and the office of the Governor will be announcing 2017 Governor's Services Awards in the summer 2017 prior to the event. We invited you to attend and support service, volunteerism and philanthropy in our great state.