Block by Block and UMC Churches Receive Governors Volunteer Awards
The recipients of the 27th Annual Governor’s Volunteers Awards for 2010 have been announced and the first celebration was held in Storm Lake. The Governor’s Volunteer Awards are given to honor the amount of community service time given by individuals and organizations throughout the state.
As Marcia Hughes, Community Relations Supervisor for Cedar Rapids Community Schools stated “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is extra. Let’s celebrate the extra! Volunteers believe in the organization and what it stands for, and when we volunteer we give a part of ourselves, our skills and our feelings to others.”
Storm Lake UMC received their award earlier in June. At the awards event where Storm Lake UMC received their award the Governor made the following statement:
“The devotion of these volunteers has helped Iowa achieve the second highest state volunteer rate in the country,” said Governor Culver. “Lt. Governor Judge, the First Lady, and I are honored to have this opportunity to personally thank this year’s award recipients for donating their time, dedication, and talent to make a tremendous difference in our state.”
The second round of celebrations was held in Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls on June 22, 2010 where several United Methodist Churches and the UMC’s Block by Block program were honored. The Presbytery of Eastern Iowa nominated Block by Block for the Governor’s award. What an honor to have been nominated for this award by another denomination!
Several UMC churches also received awards during the ceremonies.
Bethel UMC of Zearing (nominated by the Dept. of Transportation) for years of highway/road side clean up.
Geneseo UMC of Dysart (nominated by Dept. of Transportation) for years of highway/road side clean up.
Living Water UMC of Marion (nominated by the Flood Recovery office of the United Methodist Church)
Oakville UMC of Wapello (nominated by Melissa Bracht-Wagner) for flood relief work
Shueyville UMC of Swisher (nominated by Melissa Bracht-Wagner) for flood relief work
Springville UMC of Springville (nominated by the Flood Recovery Office of the United Methodist Church)
St. Pauls UMC of Waterloo (nominated by the Hawkeye Area Agency on Aging) for meals on wheels work and (nominated by Melissa Bracht-Wagner) for flood relief work
St. Pauls UMC of CR (nominated by Melissa Bracht-Wagner) for flood relief work
According to Governor Chet Culver, “Iowa is #2 in the nation for volunteer service and look out next year, Utah, because we are going to be #1!” He went on to state that in Iowa volunteer hours have increased 25% in the last year. “Iowans are selfless, thoughtful and concerned for one another. It gives me a lot of pride to live in a state where caring is part of the fabric of daily life. For generations, Iowans have always been there for their families, friends and neighbors. There could be no better example of our caring spirit than you, Iowa’s outstanding volunteers. You are, quite simply, the glue that holds our communities together.”
Congratulations! to our United Methodist Churches for being recognized by our Governor and for the incredible volunteerism that is going on throughout our great state!
Brief info on the Governor’s Volunteer Awards
The awards began in 1982 as a way for state agencies to give state wide recognition to valuable and dedicated volunteers. With the popularity of the awards, it has expanded to allow other government groups and non-profit organizations to make nominations.
Criteria for nominations include:
- demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activities
- demonstrated exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to others
- made an outstanding contribution to state or community through volunteer service
Attached is a copy of the letter that Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge sent to the Iowa United Methodist Church in celebration of our award recipients. We are pleased and proud to share this letter with you.
Click here to view the video of Block by Block receiving the award and having a group photo taken with Governor Culver.
Story and Photos by Darci Hartman, Communications Technical Specialist,
Iowa Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church