Governor recognizes Preston volunteer for contributions

For Immediate Release: Oct. 30, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Photo of Stevie Emerson receiving award

Left to right: Becky Martin, Stevie Emerson, Gov. Little

A volunteer from Preston received recognition for her service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, honored Stevie Emerson with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for her exceptional volunteer service.

Emerson was nominated by the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce for her passion and commitment to promoting local businesses, developing strong community relationships and sharing her marketing and design expertise.

“Stevie has shared her talents with us freely and has helped build bridges between members, community leaders and service and government organizations,” said Marcia Kunz, vice president of the chamber. “Her leadership has created a strong lasting foundation for the chamber of commerce.”

Emerson revamped and updated the chamber’s website with access to a community calendar, business directory and social media accounts. She also worked on behalf of the chamber to develop a relationship between the nonprofit organization Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse and the local school district. As a result, healthy relationship education is now offered to junior high and high school students in the area.

Idaho’s Brightest Star Award recognizes outstanding volunteers from across the state. It is a partnership between Gov. Little’s office, Serve Idaho and the Idaho Nonprofit Center.

More information about Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps service opportunities is available at serve.idaho.gov.

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Serve Idaho is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor. The commission administers Idaho’s AmeriCorps programs. Serve Idaho is funded in part by the federal agency AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor. In 2024, AmeriCorps committed more than $7.7 million to support Idaho communities through AmeriCorps initiatives. This federal investment leveraged more than $2.1 million in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support and increase return on taxpayer dollars.

Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $4,519,228, or 61%, of the program is financed with federal funds, and $2,893,430, or 39%, is funded through local support.