“Community service makes Michigan a better place to live and every year, we get to honor some exemplary Michiganders who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Whitmer. “At this year’s award ceremony, I look forward to celebrating 38 people, businesses, and nonprofits for the example they have set for all of us to follow. I hope their stories inspire everyone to go out and make life a little better for those around them. Let’s keep rolling up our sleeves to help our neighbors.”

To recognize those who go above and beyond, the Governor's Service Awards have been presented since 1994. The Michigan Community Service Commission supports Michigan volunteers, organizations and businesses that are committed to service and play a critical role in improving the lives of our people and communities.  

“The Award ceremony will be an incredible evening to celebrate the power of volunteerism,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The spirit and passion of this year’s honorees is astonishing. The level of selfless giving these Michiganders show should be an inspiration to us all.”  

The winners include:

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: James B. Nicholson (Grosse Pointe Farms) 

Lifetime Humanitarian Award: Vivian Pickard (Grand Blanc)  

Spirit of Hope: David Merritt (Detroit), Thomas Burke (Jackson)  

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Julia G. Jablonski (Port Huron), Lauren Mroczek (Mattawan), Arjun Saini (Northville), Piper Shumar (Traverse City), Hermanth Tadepalli (Troy), Khyiana Tate (Detroit) 

Volunteer of the Year: Clare Clark-Carlisle (Detroit), Sarah Emmerson (Muskegon), Jessica Faith Becker Beamer (Farmington), Tricia Garbarino (Plymouth), Bernice Mason (St. Joseph)   

Older Adult Volunteer of the Year:  Cathy Balik (Kalamazoo), David Baur (Lansing), Darlean Carpenter (Saginaw), Jay Henderson (Detroit), Linda and Wayne Pynnonen (West Olive)   

Youth Impact Award: Destined for Greatness (Detroit), Stewards Sustainability Leadership Institute 4-H Club (Novi), STEM Greenhouse (Grand Rapids), John Dorr (Bloomfield Hills), William Kitchen III (Muskegon Heights)

Community Impact Award: Eastside Community Network (Detroit), Dementia Friendly (Saline), Ladies Entrepreneur Empowerment Corporation (Detroit), Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (Galesburg), Friends of Sleeping Bear (Empire)  

Corporate Social Impact Award: Ford Motor Company (Dearborn), Priority Health Total Health Foundation (Southfield)  

National Service Impact Award: Darcele Marie Cole Robinson (Flint), Sandra Miller (Crystal), Vachal L. Moore Jr. (Detroit), LaShaunta Waller (Mason), Lois Westman (Ishpeming) 

The Michigan Community Service Commission will host the free event, but registration is required to attend.

Visit www.michigan.gov/GovernorsServiceAwards for winners’ full biographies and more information.

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