35th annual event will celebrate the volunteers who have helped the state and its citizens navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: Mon. June 21, 2021
- Time: 6-7 p.m.
- Location: Virtual event - see below for stream info. Zoom room will not open and Facebook/YouTube streams will not appear until 5:45 p.m. on June 21.
- Zoom -- access here
- Volunteer Maine Facebook page -- access here
- Volunteer Maine YouTube channel -- access here
AUGUSTA – Maine Governor Janet Mills and Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, will recognize the volunteers who have gone above and beyond for Maine communities during a virtual award ceremony Monday, June 21.
The 35th annual Governor's Awards for Service and Volunteerism will cover "the COVID-19 year," honoring those who provided volunteer service from March 1, 2020 until February 28, 2021. Recipients of competitive awards for individuals and teams as well as those named to the non-competitive Maine Adult Volunteer Roll of Honor will be recognized during the same ceremony.
Among the event highlights, Gov. Mills will present the competitive category awards and will offer words of appreciation to each individual or team honored.
“Every year, the Governor’s Service Awards recognize those who exemplify the spirit of service in our state, but this year is special,” said Gov. Mills. “In a year that has tested us unlike any other, I am proud to honor these individuals who have selflessly served their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of State of Maine, I congratulate this year’s Governor’s Service Award winners on this well-deserved honor.”
United States Senator Susan Collins will also share a message of appreciation to award recipients during the ceremony. Each competitive award recipient will share remarks following the virtual presentation of the respective awards. Jenifer Tilton Flood, Volunteer Maine Commissioner and the newly-elected Chair of the Commission, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
Competitive award categories
- Maine Volunteer of the Year
- Young Maine Volunteer of the Year
- Outstanding Volunteer Team
- Outstanding National Service Volunteer
- Excellence in Youth Service Development
- Excellence in Volunteer Administration
Information on Roll of Honor
This year, the Roll of Honor had 204 adults and 77 youth who contributed 185,258 volunteer hours to communities around the state. Adult recipients will be recognized in the June 29 edition of the Bangor Daily News and will receive a personalized certificate in the mail.
Please note: Volunteer Maine does not publish the Maine Youth Volunteer Roll of Honor to protect the privacy of the state's young volunteers. As a form or recognition, each recipient will be mailed a personalized certificate and a commemorative service medal.
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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.
About Volunteer Maine
Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, 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