June 15, 2005

Ceremony to Include Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

LANSING – First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern today announced that 40 Michigan residents are finalists for the 2005 Governor’s Service Awards, a program sponsored by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC).

The award winners will be announced by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Mulhern, at the Governor’s Service Awards / Carter Partnership Award Dinner Saturday evening, June 18, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.  Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will attend and be honored as well.

"Volunteers are a treasure and a great resource who deserve recognition and support from the highest levels," said Mulhern, chair of the MCSC.  "The compassion and generosity of volunteers creates positive change in the life of one person, one family, one community; indeed, the world."

The Governor’s Service Awards is an annual statewide recognition program acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan’s volunteers.  There are eight award categories with five finalists selected in each category.   The finalists were selected from more than 260 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state nominated for their commitment to volunteer service.  

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is a state agency that builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  This year MCSC is granting more than $6.9 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC supports and manages programs such as Mentor Michigan, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve, Michigan Volunteer Investment Grants, Michigan Citizen Corps, and Governor’s Service Awards.

Details on the finalists and their commitment to volunteerism are available at www.michigan.gov/mcsc

Finalists include:

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism
- Leslie Algren of Grand Ledge
- Rosemarie Herbert of Jackson
- Marjorie Kool of Battle Creek
- Fred Mathews of Dowagiac
- Jacqueline Taylor of Grand Rapids

Exemplary Volunteer Service Award
- Mary Becker-Witt of Wellston
- Colleen Brothers of Pinckney
- Robert Cedar of Hamtramck
- Timothy Jelenek of Clare
- Timothy Sullivan of Livonia

Exemplary Community Service Program Award
- Girl Scout Troop #379 of Petoskey
- Earth Works Garden of Detroit
- Eaton Community Hospice of Charlotte
- Michigan Habitat’s AmeriCorps Program of Lansing
- Tuesday Toolmen of Portage

Youth Volunteer Award of Excellence
- Katherine Burns of Grand Rapids
- Katharine Foster of Sandusky
- Hamilton Harris of Southfield
- Amber Kassuba of Vanderbilt
- Jessica Selweski of Clinton Township

Senior Volunteer Award of Excellence
- Rasma Kalnins of St. Joseph
- Frances Newby of Grand Rapids
- Jane Schwyn of Dearborn Heights
- Suzanne Stock of Gaylord
- Mary Walker of Mancelona

Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award
- Baker College of Owosso
- Citizens National Bank of Cheboygan
- Fairfield Broadcasting Company of Kalamazoo
- General Motors Corporation of Detroit
- The Kalamazoo Kings Baseball Club

Outstanding Mentor Award
- Bill Davis of Marquette
- Cecile Chilton of Grand Rapids
- Ron French of Michigamme
- Helen Hiscoe of East Lansing
- Carrie Karnes of Wyoming

Innovative Mentoring Program Awards
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity of Flint
- Chase Leadership Academy of Belleville
- It’s Great to be a Girl of Ann Arbor
- Traveling Grannies and Grandpas Program of Grand Rapids
- Winning Futures of Warren