Governor Janet T. Mills and Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, celebrated Monday evening 228 volunteers who have served communities across the state.
Scott Butler, a volunteer with Great Bay Services, was named 2023 Maine Volunteer of the Year during the 37th annual Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism recognition ceremony, held in the Hall of Flags inside the Maine State House.
Great Bay Services empowers adults with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and autism to fulfill their potential as valued members of the communities the organization serves.
Butler volunteers with Great Bay Services to provide service to several different agencies. According to Great Bay Services, "On Tuesdays, you will find Scott at Strafford Nutrition where he helps clean dishes. On Wednesdays, Scott volunteers at Curtis Lake, where he packs food boxes. On Thursdays, Scott hands out meals to the elderly through Meals On Wheels. And on Fridays, Scott is at Grammy Rose helping care for dogs, and also at the Alfred Food Pantry sorting food and stocking shelves."
Butler is also credited for helping to organize the Great Bay Services' art show, their annual "Friendsgiving" dinner, and regularly assisted with Toys for Tots drive in the Sanford area.
Additional competitive award winners
- Outstanding Volunteer Team: Stimulus Check Assistance Team of Doris Ames, Lindsay Copeland, Lorraine LaChappelle, Anne Milliard, Stefanie Takes-Desbiens, Sandy Dipasqua, David Levine, Mark Love, Jill Knight and Debbie Upson (Organization: Southern Maine Agency on Aging/AARP Foundation Tax-Aide)
- Outstanding National Service Volunteer: Laura Gordon (Organization: Ending Hunger Corps AmeriCorps VISTA/Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine)
- Exemplary Volunteer of the Year: Pat Niboli (Organization: Riding to the Top)
The 156 adults and 58 youth who have been named to the 2023 Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor were also recognized during the ceremony. In total, these individuals contributed 193,885 volunteer hours to communities around the state. Adult recipients were recognized in the April 27 edition of the Bangor Daily News. Volunteer Maine does not publish the Youth Roll of Honor due to privacy concerns.
"When Governor (John) McKernan created Volunteer Maine almost thirty years ago, he envisioned an organization that would bring neighbors together to address the unmet needs of their communities," said Gov. Mills. "I think he would be as proud as I am to see the ways that you have continued Maine's spirit of community service."
Additional information on this year's honorees can be found on the Volunteer Maine website by using the following link -- 2023 competitive award winners page.
The 2023 Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor can be accessed on the following page -- Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor.
Please use the link below to view a photo album of the ceremony -- view photos on SmugMug.
The 37th Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism are sponsored by the following organizations:
- Portland Sea Dogs (Maine Adult Volunteer Roll of Honor, Maine Youth Volunteer Roll of Honor)
- Bangor Daily News (Maine Adult Volunteer Roll of Honor)
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About the Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism
Since 1987, the Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the role of citizen volunteers in the success and vitality of Maine communities. At the same time, the awards seek to inspire others to be active in civic life and follow in the footsteps of those recognized. The awards program is managed for the Governor's Office by Volunteer Maine. More information on the award program can be accessed on the Volunteer Maine website -- visit Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism webpage.
About Volunteer Maine
Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer sector by funding service programs, developing volunteer managers and service-learning practitioners, raising awareness of the scope and the impact of the volunteer sector, and encouraging an ethic of service. On Oct. 16, 2019, the Maine Commission for Community Service adopted the public identity Volunteer Maine. Visit VolunteerMaine.gov to learn more.
Media contact
Bryan Roche, communications officer
Office: (207) 624-7836
Cell: (207) 446-3471
Email: Bryan.Roche@maine.gov
Award program contact (questions and clarifications: non-media)
Kelsey Preecs, program officer, volunteer initiatives
Office: (207) 624-7838
Email: Kelsey.Preecs@maine.gov