Governor Janet T. Mills and Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, celebrated Monday evening 165 volunteers who have served communities across the state.
Charles Frizzle, of Brunswick, was named 2022 Maine Volunteer of the Year during the 36th annual Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism recognition ceremony, held virtually.
"It is my distinct honor to accept from the Maine Commission for Community Service, their award for Maine Volunteer of the year, " said Frizzle. "I've worked with these various organization over the last 25 to 30 years, and it's my sincere hope that I'll be able to continue working with them well into the future ."
Frizzle has spent the last 30 years involved with various organizations around his community, including serving on the board for Independence Association for the last 23 years, serving on the board for Mid Coast-Parkview Health, and sitting on the planning board for 10 years for the town of Brunswick.
Charlie Austin, the Young Maine Volunteer of the Year, said "I want to encourage any kid to go volunteer, because it's just a lot of fun." Austin, 16, was told in 2018 that he would not be able to compete in competitive sports because of a medical condition. He wasted no time and has volunteered with the Maine Special Olympics for the last 4 years in different capacities including assistant coach, statistician and partnering with athletes with intellectual disabilities.
The 128 adults and 25 youth who have been named to the 2022 Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor were also recognized during the ceremony. In total, these individuals contributed 173,268 volunteer hours to communities around the state. Adult recipients will be recognized in the May 10 edition of the Bangor Daily News. Volunteer Maine does not publish the Youth Roll of Honor due to privacy concerns.
"These individuals and organizations that we recognize today have all contributed their talents and time to improve the state of Maine in so many ways.," stated Gov. Mills. "I hope that hearing their stories will inspire others to be just as active in civic life, making improvements and progress all across Maine.
A full list of competitive award winners can be found below. Use the link below to learn more about each award winner, including what nominators had to say.
View competitive category award winners
Use the link below to view the full 2022 Maine Adult Volunteer Roll of Honor.
A replay of the ceremony has been made available on the Volunteer Maine YouTube channel, which can be viewed below.
Competitive category award winners
- Volunteer of the Year: Charles Frizzle, of Brunswick (Board of Directors for Independence Association)
- Young Maine Volunteer of the Year, Charlie Austin, of Brunswick (Special Olympics Maine)
- Outstanding Volunteer Team: Great Bay Services
- Outstanding Non-profit Volunteer Program: St. Andrews Auxiliary
The 36th Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism are sponsored by the following organizations:
- Maine Volunteer Foundation (competitive awards ceremony, Maine Adult Volunteer Roll of Honor, Maine Youth Volunteer Roll of Honor)
- 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
Additional media coverage
"Winterport woman honored for volunteer work" -- Republican Journal -- use the following link to access the story -- read story
"Video: Brunswick residents among volunteers recognized by Maine governor" -- The Times Record -- use the following link to access the story -- read story
"Maine’s outstanding volunteers recognized by Gov. Mills during 36th annual ceremony, on Roll of Honor" -- Bangor Daily News -- use the following link to access the story -- read story
"Great Bay Services Member Volunteers Win Governor’s Service Award" -- Sanford Springvalle News -- use the following link to access the story -- read story
"Governor Mills recognizes volunteers in the state" -- Fox 22/ABC 7 Bangor -- use the following link to access the story -- view story
"130 ‘dear hearts’ recognized by state for their efforts" -- Boothbay Register -- use the following link to access the story -- read story