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Governor's Volunteer Awards

Judging complete

Judging for the 2012 Governor's Volunteer Awards is now complete. Nominations received this year were outstanding, and therefore the judging committee had to make some very tough decisions. In some cases the top nominees were separated by less than a point. KCCVS staff members believe everyone who volunteers is a winner, and that is one reason why we are thankful each year that staff is not allowed to judge. Program Coordinator Shannon Ramsey and the rest of the KCCVS staff express their sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to nominate a special volunteer, volunteer group, nonprofit or business.

All winning nominators have been contacted. Other nominators have been notified by e-mail, if possible, and will receive an official letter and a recognition document for their nominee(s) in the mail by April 30. The list of 2012 Governor's Volunteer Award winners will be released in late May with a private ceremony planned for them and Make A Difference Day Food Drive Competition winners in early June at the Governor's Mansion. For more information, contact contact Shannon Ramsey by e-mail or phone at (800) 239-7404 ext. 3841.

Resources for 2012 Awards

2012 Awards - Full Nomination Packet (includes guidelines, category criteria, nomination form and narrative questions)

2012 Awards - Nomination Form only (includes nomination form and narrative question pages only)

Nominations Sought for Governor's Volunteer Awards news release (February 2013)

Governor's Volunteer Award Recipients (Past five years)

2012 Awards Judging Worksheet

Microsoft Word Tips

What's so great about the Governor's Volunteer Awards? KCCVS newsletter article (January 2013)

Governor's Volunteer Awards KCCVS newsletter article (June-July 2012)

Think you don't know a volunteer or are a volunteer yourself? Read the More of us are Just helping out news article from January 2013 and see if it changes your perspective.

2011 Governor's Awards for Volunteerism and Service

Seventeen groups and individuals from across the state were honored for their volunteer contributions at a ceremony in Frankfort on Monday, June 11, 2012.

First Lady Jane Beshear and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Deputy Secretary Eric Friedlander presented the 2011 Governor’s Awards for Volunteerism and Service at the Governor’s Mansion.

2011 Governor's Volunteer Award photos

Awards Ceremony Program

June-July 2012 Newsletter - features an article about the awards

Press Releases and News Stories

CHFS Newsroom: First Lady Beshear Honors Exemplary Volunteers; 2011 Service Recognized (June 11, 2012)

The State Journal: Kentucky praises its volunteers (June 12, 2012)

Lexington Herald-Leader: Volunteer service awards presented in Frankfort (June 12, 2012)

LEX18: Volunteer Service Awards Presented In Frankfort (June 12, 2012)

The Lane Report: First Lady honors exemplary volunteers (June 12, 2012)

The Winchester Sun: Partners in Education volunteers recognized with state award (June 19, 2012)

Hazard-Herald: HHS students recognized for work following devastating fire (June 20, 2012)

McCracken County Schools: Farley Elementary School volunteer recognized with Service Award (June 20, 2012)

Kentucky.com: Versailles volunteer wins state award (June 20, 2012)

The Morehead News: MSUCorps/AmeriCorps program wins 'Make A Difference Day' award (June 20, 2012)

General Information

The Governor's Awards for Volunteerism and Service program, formerly called the Governor's Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service, celebrates the extraordinary volunteer efforts of Kentuckians all across the commonwealth. Awards are presented at an annual ceremony in Frankfort.

Virtually everyone knows at least one of those exceptional people who give their time, talent, enthusiasm and support to serve the unmet needs of others while asking nothing in return but the satisfaction of helping. Volunteers give selflessly of themselves to help improve the lives of countless others. They perform their good deeds largely unnoticed and wholly without compensation.

"There are so many Kentuckians who regularly help their neighbors, and this is a good way to say 'thank you' to some of Kentucky's great unsung heroes and role models," said Eileen Cackowski, KCCVS director.

How to get the latest Governor's Awards information

Nomination forms and information are posted on the KCCVS website and sent to our email distribution list. You can sign up for our distribution list online or by sending your name, organization (if applicable) and email address to kccvs@ky.gov. Contact Shannon Ramsey at (800) 239-7404 if you have any questions.

Lifetime Achievement Recipients

2011 Recipients

2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Jeanette Elder with Representative Leslie Combs, First Lady Jane Beshear, CHFS Deputy Secretary Eric Friedlander and nominator Dana King.

2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, George Merrifield Jr. with his wife, June Merrifield, Representative Fitz Steele, First Lady Jane Beshear and CHFS Deputy Secretary Eric Friedlander nominator. Merrifield was nominated by Meredith McCann.

Past Lifetime Achievement Recipients

2011: Jeanette Elder and George Merrifield Jr.

2010: Bill Burch

2009: Captain Charles Stiles

2008: Merrill A. Winchester, M.D.

2007: Garnett Fairchild and Robley H. Rex

2006: Rosan Medaris and C.J. Heidrich

2005: Robert A. Reid and Jane B. Stephenson

2004: Faye LaVerne Brumley

2003: Katherine Elizabeth Glutting

2002: Carrie Lee Jones Clemons

2001: George Fischer

2000: Peyton Harrison Hoge III

Past Awards

2010

The awards ceremony and reception for the 2010 recipients was held June 2, 2011, at the Governor's Mansion. The traveling awards for the 2010 Make A Difference Day food drive competition winners were also presented.

See the resources below for more information about the recipients and photos from the ceremony.

2010 Governor's Awards Press Release (June 2, 2011)

2010 Governor's Awards eProgram

2010 Governor's Awards Ceremony Pictures on Flickr

2010 Governor's Awards Ceremony Pictures on Facebook

2010 Governor's Awards Recipient Pictures

First Lady Honors State's Outstanding Volunteers (June 15, 2011)

Longtime educator, Burch, honored with lifetime achievement award (June 2, 2011)

Educator honored for a lifetime of volunteering (June 6, 2011)

Hospice volunteer earns state honor (June 7, 2011)