2002 Governor's Service Awards Finalists Announced

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2002

Contact

Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director

Michigan Community Service Commission

Phone (517) 335-4295

Lansing, MI – The finalists for the Ninth Annual Governor's Service Awards were announced today by Governor Engler and the Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that promotes and supports volunteerism in Michigan.  Nearly 200 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state were nominated for the awards, which honor dedicated citizens who give of themselves through volunteer service.  The finalists will be honored, and a winner in each of the 14 categories announced, at the Ninth Annual Governor's Service Awards dinner on Monday, April 29, 2002 in Lansing, Michigan.  SBC Ameritech is the event’s lead sponsor and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan the associate sponsor.

Governor John Engler and First Lady Michelle Engler will present the finalists with a proclamation and the winners with a plaque at the awards program, which will be held at the Lansing Center.  Sheri Jones, news anchor for WLNS TV-6, will be the event’s emcee.  "The events of the past several months have given us all a new awareness of volunteers and the essential role they play in American community life,” said Governor Engler.  “Volunteers touch the lives of neighbors and strangers, alike.  At the Governor’s Service Awards we celebrate and recognize those whose exemplary efforts enhance the lives of the people of Michigan.”

The Ninth Annual Governor’s Service Awards finalists are:

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award

Isabel Bliss, Chelsea

Marilyn Henderson, Lansing

Molly A. Minnick, St. Johns

The Late James Muir, Grand Rapids

Michele Sherrill-Mix, Alpena                  

Innovative Spirit Volunteer Service Award

Union City High School Community Service Program, Union City     

Muskegon Chiefs Peewee AA Travel Hockey Team, Norton Shores

Dr. Warren L. Schildberg, Garden City

Greater Kalamazoo Holiday Food Drive, Kalamazoo                   

Robert Zwiers, Holland

Adult 19-35

Gwen Luban, West Olive

Elizabeth Mettler, Albion

Beth Ziemba, Flushing

Adult 36-55

Dr. Barbara S. Adams, Ann Arbor

Dr. Gerald Buchanan, Muskegon

Shirley Jones, Grand Rapids   

John Knoester, Holland

Marcia Visker, Kalamazoo

Adult Service Club/Civic Organization

Adopt A Reader, South Lyon

Gwinn Sawyer Chamber of Commerce, Gwinn

Kiwanis Club of Gaylord, Gaylord

Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund, Detroit

Seniors In Action, Grand Rapids

The Arts in Service

Joseph Cohen, Kentwood

Karol Players Theatre Guild, Grand Rapids                                       

Peter T. Milne, Royal Oak        

Barbara Reardon, Harrison Township          

Shiawassee Arts Council, Owosso

Community Service Program Manaager

Ginni Blanchard, Grand Rapids

Nancy Cormier, Royal Oak

Carol Anne Ketelsen, Rochester

Peggy Lawrence Burns, Grand Rapids

Jay Young, Livonia 

Corporation/Business

ODL, Inc., Zeeland

Plumbs Valu-Rite Foods, Muskegon

Spartan Motors, Inc., Charlotte

UAW-GM Community Outreach Team – GM PEP/Project TEAM Volunteers, Lansing

Van Atta’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop, Haslett

National Service Program

AmeriCorps Oakland: Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Rochester

Habitat Michigan’s AmeriCorps Program, Lansing

Helping Hands Happy People, RSVP, Kalamazoo

Rolling Readers U.S.A., Mid-Michigan Chapter, VISTA, Laingsburg

National Service Program Member

James LaMuth, Copper Country AmeriCorps, Dollar Bay

Anna Pope, RSVP, Pontiac

Charles Shane, RSVP, Kalamazoo

Lucy Whiters, Foster Grandparent Program, Pontiac

Cherri Whitmore, Success By Six: Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Coldwater

Senior 56 and Older

Francois J. Castaing, Bloomfield Hills

Gretl Frank, Southfield

LM “Rick” Frederick, Grand Rapids

Kathy Smith, St. Johns

Lois A. Williams, Adrian

Service-Learning Educator

Jim Blaschka, St. Charles

Sandi Godek, Onaway

Ronda Liskey, Laingsburg

Khris Nedam, Northville

Marion A. Smith, West Bloomfield

Youth 18 and Younger

Nora Rose Cooper-Surma, Free Soil

Paul Joseph Fishwick, Jr., Trenton

Brittany Fox, Grand Haven

Michael Palombo, Livonia

Ashley Nicole Pyle, South Boardman

Youth Service Club/Civic Organization

Alpena High School Graphic Arts Program, Alpena

Ewell Elementary Community Action Team, Shelby Township

InterAct Club, Grand Haven

Mill Creek Middle School’s Community Service and Leadership Class, Dexter   

Youth Volunteer Corps of Muskegon County, Muskegon

The statewide recognition program acknowledges the contributions made by individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses involved in service and volunteerism, and awards volunteers whose commitment to serving others goes above and beyond.  Dr. Russell Mawby, Chair of the Michigan Community Service Commission said, "Volunteers are a treasure, a resource that must be validated through recognition and support from the highest levels. The compassion and giving of volunteers are what cause positive change in the life of one person, one family, one community; indeed, the world one person at a time."

The Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that supports service and volunteerism in Michigan, issued the nomination applications for this year's awards.  After a rigorous peer review by individuals representing nonprofit, volunteer, business and education organizations, a total of 67 individuals, businesses, and organizations were selected as finalists in the 14 award categories.

For more information about the Governor's Service Awards, please contact Kathie Vasilion at the Michigan Community Service Commission at 517.373.4200 or vasilionk@michigan.gov.

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