Governor’s 26 th Annual Volunteer Service Awards Marylanders Recognized for Commitment and Effort Volunteers from all across the state of Maryland were recognized today for outstanding service at the 26th annual Governor's Volunteer Service Awards ceremony. Secretary of Appointments Jeanne Hitchcock and Executive Director of the Governor‟s Office of Community Initiatives, Israel C. Patoka, presented 42 awards to honorees representing 14 Maryland counties and Baltimore City, during a mid-afternoon ceremony at the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts in Annapolis.

“Today, we are here to recognize our neighbors, family members and friends who over the past year, put forth that extra effort to improve the quality of life in communities across this state,” said Secretary Hitchcock “Each individual and group being honored here this afternoon is continuing a time-honored Maryland tradition.

Presentation of these awards coincides with Volunteer Week in Maryland (April 19-25)and represents the most prestigious volunteer awards presented by the Office of the Governor. Award categories include business group, faith-based, individual awards (age26-54), state government, lifetime achievement, national service, group, public safety and emergency response, youth (under age 26), senior (age 55-plus), senior group and youth group.

According to the most recent data released by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), an average of 1.2 million Marylanders dedicated 198.6 million hours of volunteer service during calendar year 2007, with an economic value of$3.9 billion of service hours to the state.This figure is based on the annual estimation of the dollar value of a volunteer hour by the group Independent Sector, which currently stands at $19.51.

To qualify for a Governor‟s Volunteer Service Award, completed nomination forms were sent to the Governor‟s Office on Service and Volunteerism, accompanied by a written description consisting of no more than 500 words explaining why a person, group or organization should be recognized. A flood of over 300 applications were received from virtually every locality in the state.

The criteria for selection of award winners are:

• Outstanding volunteer service requiring meaningful commitment of effort and time
• Positive influence that addresses a problem or enhances the quality of life in Maryland
• Emphasis on service during the calendar year 2008

GROUP AWARD RECIPIENTS

All Shades of Pink, Inc …

Townson United Methodist Church …

MoverMoms is a group of 125-plus dynamic mothers who aim to make a positive difference in the larger community – beyond their neighborhoods and children‟s schools. In 2008, “The Moms” completed over 25 service projects in Montgomery County and Washington D.C. The group began in the winter of 2007 when a small group of moms cooked dinner for families of seriously ill children at The Children‟s Inn at NIH in Bethesda. They enjoyed the experience and decided to make volunteering a part of their daily lives. Their projects include: work at numerous men‟s and women‟s shelters; assisting at the Capital Area Food Bank; editing resumes and teaching interview skills to low-income individuals; participation in many charity sporting events;delivered meals to senior citizens; organized a massive collection drive of Halloween candy for US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. These moms are definitely on the move!Montgomery County

Pan Masters Seel Orchestra …

Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park …