2002 Governor's Service Awards Winner Announced

April 29, 2002

CONTACT:

Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director

Michigan Community Service Commission

(517) 335-4295

Lansing, MI — The fourteen winners of the Ninth Annual Governor's Service Awards—including an 88 year-old woman from Pontiac and a youth group from Muskegon—were announced by Governor John Engler and First Lady Michelle Engler at a Lansing Center dinner on April 29th. The celebration was sponsored by SBC Ameritech and hosted by the Englers and the Michigan Community Service Commission, a state agency that supports volunteerism by granting funds to volunteer programs.

The Governor and First Lady presented special tributes to all 67 finalists and special awards to winners in 14 categories for their exemplary volunteer service.  Sheri Jones, news anchor for WLNS Newscenter 6 in Lansing, emceed the event.

“Volunteers are truly the heroes of our state,” says Governor John Engler.  “They give unselfishly of their time and talent and ask for nothing in return.  We owe them a debt of gratitude for all they 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 service and volunteerism.  Friends, relatives, and colleagues submitted nearly 200 nominations to pay tribute to individuals and organizations they feel exemplify the spirit of volunteer service.  An objective peer review panel selected the winner and up to four additional finalists in each of 14 categories.  The 2002 award winners are:

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award

The Late James Muir gave of himself for over five decades.  Being hearing-impaired, physically disabled and a post-polio amputee did not deter him from service.  Rather, physical challenges influenced his dedication to ensure quality of life for all people with disabilities.  Delight in life and joy of learning were gifts he shared with children, volunteering thousands of hours in schools, recreation projects, day care, and programs for physically and emotionally disabled children and adults.  His service to more than 25 organizations serving children and physically challenged adults resulted in architectural changes in area buildings, the establishment of volunteer patrols in law enforcement agencies throughout West Michigan, and independence for numerous adults with disabilities.  Jim had a vision of a barrier-free America and gave a lifetime of service to ensure it.  

Innovative Spirit Volunteer Service Award

Robert Zwiers of Holland began volunteering for Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity several years ago.  He recruits and supervises volunteers, serves on the Construction Committee, and contributes financially to Habitat.  Robert also seeks opportunities to partner with corporations in the community to solicit in-kind donations of building materials, thereby saving Habitat roughly $60,000-80,000 annually. 

Adult 19-35

Elizabeth Mettler, a junior at Albion College, is the President of the Albion College Habitat for Humanity, sits on the Greater Albion Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, is Vice President of Alpha Phi Omega, and acted as coordinator for the Martin Luther King Alternative Break Trips to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. 

Adult 36-55

Shirley Jones of Grand Rapids volunteers as a resident board member of the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, a member of the Michigan Organizing Project (MOP), a full-time receptionist at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, Inc., and was a lead volunteer for the 2001 Convoy of Hope. 

Adult Service Club/Civic Organization

The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund was created in 1914 to ensure that there would be “No Kiddie Without A Christmas.”  For the last 87 years, over two million deserving youth have received holiday packages consisting of items such as books, clothes, and toys.  In addition to this primary mission, the Goodfellows also developed the Campership Program, Shoe Program, and Dental Program to serve less fortunate children living in the community.

Community Service Program Manager

Peggy Lawrence Burns of Grand Rapids created the Traveling Grannies/Grandpas Program in 1992 to mentor teen mothers, their children, and young men at risk of becoming fathers.  There are currently more than 25 volunteers donating 20 hours per week toward the success of this program, benefiting more than 1,000 children in over 20 schools.   

Corporation/Business

ODL, Inc., a door and window company in Zeeland, has financially supported the work of Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity for several years.  In 2001, ODL, Inc. more than doubled their goal raising over $40,000 and, with the help of the ODL, Inc. volunteers, the Habitat house was built in less than three weeks.

National Service Program

Rolling Readers U.S.A., Mid-Michigan Chapter provides literacy support to area schools through three programs supported by AmeriCorps*VISTA members.  The Read Aloud program brings weekly volunteer readers into each classroom; Tutor USA provides an innovative volunteer team approach to tutoring children in grades 1-3; and the unique Read – Write On Literacy Mentorship class gives middle and high school students an opportunity to learn to be tutors, assess the resources in the community, and build community partnerships around literacy issues. 

National Service Program Member

Anna Pope of Pontiac has been involved in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for eight years, spending at least 30 hours per week with the children of the Boys and Girls Club.  Anna spends an additional 20 hours per week mentoring and tutoring special needs students at an elementary school in Pontiac. 

Senior 56 and Older

Gretl Frank of Southfield has been extensively involved in volunteer service activities for nearly 20 years.  She is involved with The Southfield Goodfellows, Yad Ezra (an Oak Park based kosher food bank), Ferndale Public Schools’ Literacy Project, and Bikkur Cholim (a program for visiting nursing home residents in the Detroit area).

Service-Learning Educator

Khris Nedam, currently a third grade teacher at Amerman Elementary School in Northville, worked with her class in 1998 to coordinate the Afghan School project through a variety of service-learning activities and fundraising projects.  As a result of their efforts, $30,000 was raised, a school and a clinic were built in Afghanistan, and this year marked the first class of boys and girls (400+) who received education and food at the new Wardock School.     

The Arts in Service

Barbara Reardon of Harrison Township formed the “First Light in Swing” band in 1998, helping the middle and high school age youth develop a repertoire of over 80 songs and bringing the joy of music to thousands of citizens.  The group has performed at least 14 benefit performances for AHEPA Retirement Community, Association of Retarded Citizens Services, Lake Point Villa Senior Citizen Prom, St. John Hospital’s Lawn Party, and the Macomb County Central Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few. 

Youth 18 and Younger

Nora Rose Cooper-Surma was instrumental in bringing the Care Kits for Kids project to Mason and Lake Counties.  The project provided nearly 150 children placed in foster care with personal items such as toiletries, clothing, school supplies, and toys. 

Youth Service Club/Civic Organization

During 2001, the Youth Volunteer Corps of Muskegon County engaged 889 youth between the ages of 12-18 in service to their community.  They tutor younger children, take part in environmental clean up projects around the lakes, plant dune grass, and paint murals over graffiti – giving more than 24,000 hours of their time.

The Michigan Community Service Commission increases the capacity of Michigan's volunteer community by supporting and promoting volunteer initiatives. Annually, the MCSC grants almost $7.5 million in federal funds and $1 million in state funds to local communities for a variety of volunteer-focused activities.

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