LANSING — The Michigan Community Service Commission is pleased to announce that nominations are being sought for the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards. The Governor’s Service Awards are given annually by the governor to individuals, organizations and businesses to acknowledge their commitment to serving their communities through volunteerism. This event is hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission.

The online application for the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards is available at www.michigan.gov/governorsserviceawards. Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 17, 2020. Date and location of the event will be announced at a later date.

“We want to recognize Michigan volunteers who make their community a better place,” Michigan Community Service Commission executive director Ginna Holmes said. “Hearing the stories of Michiganders generosity and giving spirit is inspiring for all.”

Awards will be presented in 10 categories which reflect the diverse nature of volunteers throughout the state. The categories are:

• Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: honors an individual who has shown a lifelong commitment to community involvement and volunteerism.

• Lifetime Humanitarian Award: honors individuals or families that have demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding civic and charitable responsibility to a community or organization.

• Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: honors individuals age 65 and older who have taken action to make their community a better place to live through service.

• Volunteer of the Year Award: honors an individual who strives to improve the lives of neighbors, friends, community or congregation through volunteerism.

• Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: honors individuals who are age 25 or younger who have already begun making a significant difference in their community through service.

• Mentor of the Year Award: honors an individual who provides youth with the confidence and assets to be successful.

• Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award: honors service clubs, nonprofit, faith-based, veteran, disaster preparedness and other organizations that make a demonstrated difference in their community.

• Education Service Leader Award: honors schools, colleges, universities and other organizations that support youth making a difference in their communities.

• Outstanding National Service Program Award: honors organizations that provide a high-quality national service program that yields a significant impact in a Michigan community.

• Corporate Community Leader Award: honors corporations and businesses that excel in community involvement and demonstrate excellent corporate citizenship by giving back to their community in a variety of ways.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Michigan Community Service Commission at 517-335-4295 or gsa@michigan.gov.

Background The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state’s most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2019-2020, the MCSC is granting more than $21 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Volunteer Michigan and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC. Visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer for more information.