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Lansing, Michigan - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced finalists for the 2008 Governor's Service Awards who will be honored next month during ceremonies at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The 40 finalists have been selected from nearly 180 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state who were nominated for their commitment to volunteer service.
"Michigan's volunteer heroes give of their time and talent without thought of praise or recognition," Granholm said. "The value of volunteers and their impact on local communities is highlighted by the willingness of Michigan's corporate leaders to step forward and sponsor this event. We are grateful for the volunteers and the support of our sponsors."
Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern will honor the finalists during an awards ceremony entitled, "A Night with the Stars," on Thursday, June 19, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The 2008 Governor's Service Awards will be a theatre-style event highlighting award presentations and featuring performances by Michigan musical artists and performers, all paying tribute to the honorees.
In addition to recognizing the Governor's Service Award recipients in eight categories, Governor Granholm will also present the Carter Partnership Award, the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy, and the Community Foundation Award for Philanthropy.
The Governor's Service Awards are an annual statewide recognition event acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan volunteers. This celebration is made possible only through the generous contributions of its sponsors. To date, the Ford Motor Company Fund is the Platinum Sponsor. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Acheson Ventures are Premier Sponsors; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan/Accident Fund, Comcast, DTE Energy, and MASCO Corporation Foundation are Pacesetters; CMS Energy, Council of Michigan Foundations, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Lear Corporation, Meijer, and Michigan Nonprofit Association are Governor's Champions; and Comer Holdings, Comerica, FifthThird Bank, Health Alliance Plan, Hudson-Webber Foundation, and Mawby Family Fund are Governor's Heroes.
The behind-the-scenes work for this prestigious event is managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), which is chaired by First Gentleman Mulhern. The MCSC is a state agency committed to building a culture of volunteer service to strengthen communities. It is part of the Michigan Department of Human Services.
To purchase tickets to attend the event or for more information about the Governor's Service Awards, visit www.michigan.gov/mcsc or contact Kathie Vasilion Robinson at vasilionk@michigan.gov or (517) 373-4200.
The award finalists are:
Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award
This award, the most prestigious of the Governor's Service Awards, honors an individual who has taken his or her volunteer service to the highest level - year after year. It honors an individual, usually a senior citizen, who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteer service. Individuals nominated in this category have made service a way of life for many, many years. The finalists are:
Mentor of the Year Award
This award honors an individual who has made a significant difference in a child's life over time through mentoring. For the purpose of this award, mentoring is defined as a structured and trusting relationship that brings a young person together with a caring individual who offers guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee. The finalists are:
Outstanding Mentoring Program Award
Mentoring programs are responsible for developing and maintaining high-quality experiences for both the mentor and mentee. Outstanding programs have systems in place for recruitment, retention, background checks, ongoing support, evaluation, and more as recommended by the Mentor Michigan Quality Program Standards. The finalists are:
Outstanding Volunteer Program Award
This award acknowledges the importance an organization or club makes in community life. The nominees in this category strive to make communities better places to live through a variety of activities or by focusing on one issue of primary importance in their community. Schools, faith-based organizations, national service programs, nonprofit organizations, and service clubs are potential nominees. The finalists are:
Senior Volunteer of the Year
This category honors individuals who are age 65 or older. These nominees may be involved with many activities or given significant time to one particular cause. The finalists are:
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is reserved for an individual who strives to improve the lives of neighbors, friends, community, or congregation. Individuals nominated for this award could be adults, national service members, educators, and more. The finalists are:
Corporate Community Leader Award
Corporations and businesses that excel in community involvement are honored with this award. The commitment to serve is made by employees, both hourly and salaried, and can take many forms including, but not limited to, corporate volunteer programs, monetary contributions, in-kind gifts, and employee-driven volunteer service. The finalists are:
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
This category honors individuals who are 21 or younger. These nominees may be involved with many activities or given significant time to one particular cause. The finalists are:
Click here to read full descriptions of the 2008 GSA Finalists.
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