Nominations Now Open for 2015 Oregon Governor’s Volunteer Awards, April 21

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Governor’s Volunteer Awards, conducted by Oregon Volunteers Commission for Voluntary Action and Service. The awards recognize individuals, programs and organizations for creating positive change through volunteerism across the state. There is no cost to enter a nomination. The nomination deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. “I am inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to action, who said, ‘Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love,’ ” said Gov. Kate Brown. The awards are given at both the regional and statewide levels in the following categories: * Adult Volunteer or Duo (age 19-64); * Elder Volunteer or Duo (age 65 or better); * Youth Volunteer or Duo (age 18 and younger); * Lifetime Achievement (individual or duo – at least 10 years of service in Oregon); * Youth Volunteer Program; * Small Business Volunteer Program (15 or fewer employees); * Large Business Volunteer Program (16+ employees); * Community Based Volunteer Program; * Statewide Business Volunteer Program (any size – active in three or more regions); * Statewide Community Based Volunteer Program (active in three or more regions); * AmeriCorps Alumni (volunteers after they have completed a year of service). Governor’s Volunteer Awards information and the nomination form are online at www.oregonvolunteers.org/events/gva. Nomination information is also available at Wells Fargo bank branches throughout Oregon. Through an intense review process, award recipients will be chosen and then honored at a luncheon Oct. 12 at the Salem Conference Center. “I believe Oregon is great because so many Oregonians serve their communities by volunteering their time and expertise,” said Gov. Brown. “I call on all Oregonians to nominate outstanding volunteers throughout Oregon for this year’s Governor’s Volunteer Awards.”