Community Volunteers Honored with Governor's Award

Several Johnston residents will receive a 2013 Governor’s Volunteer Award from Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds during a special recognition ceremony to be held in Pleasant Hill.

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. What began as a small program only available to state government agencies has expanded over the years and now provides all Iowa nonprofit, charitable and government organizations with an easy way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level recognition award.  Several hundred volunteers are recognized each year with awards in one of four categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service or Disaster Volunteer.

 “Volunteerism is an important part of the state’s future and well-being,” said Gov. Terry Branstad. “I am honored to have the opportunity to recognize the people of our great state who continue the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor and work tirelessly to improve their communities.  Collectively, Iowa’s volunteers contribute to our ranking among the top three states in the nation for our volunteer rate.”

Johnston residents honored are:

• Carol Andresen with the Iowa Army National Guard
• Michele Brown with Everybody Wins! Iowa
• Nita Ginger with Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa
• Joyce Lathrum with Iowa Methodist Medical Center & Blank Children's Hospital
• Soni Nelson with Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa
• Vaughn Noring with University of Northern Iowa