Gov. Rick Snyder Announces 2016 Service Award Winners

LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Thursday announced the names of 28 individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations that will be honored next month as recipients of 2016 Governor's Service Awards to recognize their commitment to volunteer service.

“Michiganders have always displayed a willingness to help neighbors and communities through service and volunteerism,” Snyder said in a news release. “These 28 Michigan residents, programs and businesses have gone above and beyond to create a lasting positive impact across the state. I am proud to recognize them for their selfless efforts.”

The winners will be honored during a special ceremony on Aug. 30 at the Temple Theatre in Saginaw.

The winners are:

Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: Doris Jacques (Saginaw)

Corporate Community Leader Award: Bank of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor); Dow Chemical (Midland); Gast Manufacturing (Benton Harbor)

Mentor of the Year Award: Christine Alvarado (Holly); Alphonso Amos (Port Huron)

Volunteer of the Year Award: Mike McFarlen (Battle Creek); Richard Chatman (Detroit); Wanda Westman (Ishpeming)

Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: Paul Goldsmith (Farmington Hills); James Polet (Holland); Lucille Wright (Bath); Nancy Bryant (Mt. Pleasant)

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: Caleb White (Commerce Twp.); Aubrey Cohoon (Spring Lake); Eliana Margherio (Bloomfield Hills); Emily Prokop (Birmingham); Alan Sun (Canton); Anna Sun (Canton); Sikander Khan (Jackson)

Outstanding National Service Program Award: Cherry Health Community HealthCorps (Grand Rapids); Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps (Lansing); RSVP of Otsego County (Gaylord); MARESA AmeriCorps (Marquette)

Outstanding Volunteer Program Award: Memorial HealthCare (Owosso); Just Speak, Inc. (Detroit); Flowers for Friends (Petoskey); Friends of the Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon)

To read the winners’ biographies and learn more about their community service, click here.