Tag Archives: volunteers

Governor Little appoints leaders from Shoshone and Clayton to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are Karma Metzler Fitzgerald of Shoshone and Amanda Gardner of Clayton.

The two join the existing commission of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

Photo: Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Photo: Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner

“Ms. Metzler Fitzgerald and Ms. Gardner bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Serve Idaho Program Manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho’s rural communities.”

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AmeriCorps Members Celebrated for Their Contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

This week Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism celebrated the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.

Throughout the week Serve Idaho highlighted members from across the state on social media, showcasing the impact they are making in communities throughout Idaho. Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation declaring the week “AmeriCorps Week,” and members were recognized for their contributions by local organizations. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible.

In Idaho, approximately 900 AmeriCorps members serve each year in communities from Bonners Ferry to Montpelier. Programs such as Idaho HealthCorps run by Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health provide health screenings and health education for Idaho’s rural communities, while programs such as the University of Idaho’s Idaho Positive Youth Development Program work with the 4-H extension offices across the state to engage students in afterschool STEAM education. Members serving with the North Idaho Senior Companions Program, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District, provide much needed companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled.

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Idahoans Receive Awards for Volunteerism and Philanthropy

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 22, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee Bade Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

More than 40 Idahoans will be honored at the Idaho Philanthropy Day award presentations in November at regional celebrations.

“Idaho’s volunteers provide enormous benefits to our people and communities across the state. It is important that we take the time to recognize those individuals who give so much back to our state by volunteering their time and talent to improve the lives of those around them,” Gov. Brad Little said.

Winners were chosen by the Idaho Philanthropy Day judges committee after studying each nomination to decide which ones best encompass the spirit of philanthropy including time, talent, treasure and involvement in the community. Continue reading →

Nominations Open for Idaho’s Outstanding Volunteers and Philanthropists

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 14, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Nominations for the annual Idaho Philanthropy Day awards are now open. Each year, Idaho volunteers and philanthropists are honored for outstanding contributions to their communities. Three regional virtual events will take place in November to recognize winners from eastern, northern and southwestern Idaho.

Idaho Philanthropy Day logo“Idaho’s volunteers provide enormous benefits to our people and communities across the state. It is important that we take the time to recognize those individuals who give so much back to our state by volunteering their time and talent to improve the lives of those around them,” Idaho Gov. Brad Little said.

The program organizers, Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, and the Idaho Nonprofit Center, encourage community members to nominate their neighbors online at IdahoNonprofits.org. Submissions will be accepted through July 19, 2021. Categories include:

      • Outstanding Philanthropic Company/Foundation
      • Outstanding Nonprofit
      • Outstanding Adult Philanthropist
      • Outstanding Adult Volunteer – Idaho’s Brightest Star
      • Outstanding Youth

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Idaho’s Volunteers of the Year Recognized In Person on May 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Three Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award recipients will be recognized in person during a small ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 19 in the Cecil D. Andrus Park in Boise.

Representatives of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and Serve Idaho, first presented the awards virtually to the three volunteers – Alina Rahim, Bill “Action” Jackson and Mary Robinette – in November.

This time, Gov. Brad Little and Tracy Andrus, daughter of the late Gov. Cecil D. Andrus, will recognize each of the winners in person:

  • At age 13, Alina Rahim of created an organization in Pocatello called Youth Activism Society (YAS) whose mission is to empower local youth to advocate for marginalized communities and volunteer with local initiatives.
  • Bill Jackson of Boise created the Idaho Youth Education Recycling Partnership, which recycles scrap metal from around the state.
  • Mary Robinette of Hayden has been a volunteer with Family Promise of North Idaho for eight years, which serves homeless families with children in the region.
  • Photos and honoree details can be found on the Idaho Labor blog at idahoatwork.com. Search for “Idaho Volunteers Recognized.”

The annual Idaho Philanthropy Day awards recognizes outstanding volunteers and philanthropists from throughout Idaho. In 2020, Serve Idaho combined efforts with the Idaho Nonprofit Center, replacing the previous Idaho’s Brightest Stars event. This is the third year that the Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award was presented. Nominations for the 2021 Idaho Philanthropy Day awards are now open at idahononprofits.org/idaho-philanthropy-day.html. 

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Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state. The Serve Idaho Commission is funded in part by AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

Idaho Volunteers Recognized with Governor Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 20, 2020
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Three volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Idaho during the annual Idaho Philanthropy Day Awards held earlier this month.

Alina Rahim, Bill “Action” Jackson and Mary Robinette all received the Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award in the ceremony, presented by the Idaho Nonprofit Center in partnership with Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Tracy Andrus, daughter of the late Gov. Andrus, presented the awards to each of the winners during the virtual ceremony.

Rahim of Pocatello was recognized for her volunteer contributions in eastern Idaho. At age 13, she created an  organization called Youth Activism Society (YAS) whose mission is to empower local youth to advocate for marginalized communities and volunteer with local initiatives. The organization has expanded with five chapters across the United States. Outside of her work with YAS, Rahim has volunteered with The Idaho Foodbank, her local soup kitchen, the Shoshone-Bannock tribe and in medical clinics in Nepal.

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Awards Ceremony to Recognize Idaho’s Top Volunteers and Philanthropists

News Release

For Immediate Release: July 9, 2020
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is partnering with the Idaho Nonprofit Center’s annual Idaho Philanthropy Day.

The event will recognize Idaho’s top volunteers and philanthropists with a series of ceremonies that will take place in November in northern, southwestern and eastern Idaho. The event will replace the annual Idaho’s Brightest Stars ceremony in Boise previously hosted by Serve Idaho.

“We are excited for this amazing opportunity to partner with the Idaho Nonprofit Center and other partners to recognize Idaho residents who give of their time, talents and treasures to better their communities” said Renee Bade, Serve Idaho program supervisor.

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Idaho Volunteers Recognized at Brightest Stars Awards Ceremony

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Renee Bade (208) 332-3578, ext. 4061

Seventy-one outstanding volunteers from throughout Idaho were honored as stars Wednesday by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, at Idaho’s Brightest Stars ceremony in Boise.

Dawn-Marie Johnson

Dawn-Marie Johnson of Kamiah was recognized in the Individual category.

“Volunteerism is a gift that benefits citizens and addresses needs in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Brad Little.  “These men and women are not seeking recognition, but it is important to acknowledge these Brightest Star recipients and their generous commitment to giving to others and ensuring a bright future for all citizens.”

Jim Kinnard of Coeur d’Alene was recognized in the Student category.

The volunteers were nominated for their contributions in seven categories – Business, Individual, Nonprofit/Civic Organization, Senior Citizen, Student, Teacher/Professor and Veteran. Awardees were nominated by Idahoans throughout the state and a panel of community reviewers made
the final selection.

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Brightest Stars Ceremony Recognizes Idaho’s Volunteers

Seventy-four outstanding volunteers from throughout the state were recently honored by Lt. Gov. Brad Little at Idaho’s Brightest Stars awards ceremony in Boise.

The volunteers were nominated for their contributions in seven categories – Business, Individual, Nonprofit/Civic Organization, Senior Citizen, Student, Teacher/Professor and Veteran. All were nominated by fellow Idahoans for their extraordinary volunteer efforts.

The winners were:

Veteran:

John Harrington Burns Brightest Stars award winner

John Harrington Burns, photo courtesy Doug Brown

John Harrington Burns depicts what it means to be a lifelong volunteer.  A World War II Navy veteran, John is the founder of the Rock of Honor in Meridian, which honors the 66 veterans from Meridian who were killed or died from wounds suffered in action.  John is also the founder of the Freedom Museum in Manassas, Virginia, where he served on the board for many years.  In addition to his volunteer contributions, John is also the author of two books and writes a weekly column entitled “One Vet’s View” for the Valley Times Newspaper.  Although John is 90 years old, you would never know by his active engagement in the community and service to others. 

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Idaho NonProfits, Colleges, Universities Encouraged to Apply for AmeriCorps Grants

Nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities, local governments and others have until Nov. 14 to formally notify Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, of their intention to apply for funding for the 2013-1014 fiscal year.

Grant awards range from $133,000 to $1.3 million and are used to fund individual service in programs that meet community needs in disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures and veteran’s services.

AmeriCorps members at work.

Through these grants, scores of AmeriCorps members will provide assistance to communities throughout the state in return for a modest living stipend and an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans.

A full time AmeriCorps volunteer receives a $12,100 living stipend and an education award of $5,550, including healthcare and childcare support.

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