Nominate a Deserving Texan for the 2018 Governor’s Volunteer Awards
April is National Volunteer Month, which makes it the perfect time to nominate a deserving Texan for the 2018 Governor’s Volunteer Awards. The Governor’s Volunteer Awards are in their 35th year and are administered by OneStar Foundation, and I am privileged to once again serving as Honorary Chair. Through these awards, we honor the contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations in Texas that have made a positive impact in their communities or across Texas through service and volunteering.
There is perhaps no greater gift we can give than our time. Lending a hand to those in need is a timeless Texas tradition, and each day across our state there are ordinary Texans making a mark on their communities through service. Our state and citizens faced challenges in 2017, and our strength was tested by Harvey and others. But even so, we showed the entire world that nothing can dampen our resolve, and that nothing is more powerful than Texans helping Texans. Never before have I seen so many Texans making a difference.
The eight Governor’s Volunteer Award categories are:
• Governor’s Lone Star Achievement Award
• First Lady’s Rising Star Award
• Partners in Education Award
• Service to Veterans Award
• Higher Education Community Impact Award
• Corporate Community Impact Award
• Community Leadership Award
• National Service “Make a Difference” Award
To learn more about the awards and to read the descriptions for each category, click here. To nominate an individual or organization you know, click here. And if you need a little motivation, click here to read about the extraordinary individuals and organizations who were the 2017 winners.
All across the Lone Star State, volunteers are dedicated to marshaling community spirit. From building homes for veterans and mentoring students, to visiting patients in hospitals and walking homeless dogs, there are countless opportunities to get involved. No matter the cause, volunteers and the organizations they support provide a priceless gift to our communities.
Since April is Volunteer Month, Greg and I encourage all Texans to take a moment to thank those who volunteer, to honor the successes of volunteer programs, and to find a volunteer opportunity in your community that you may be interested in. And don’t forget to nominate an individual or organization who you think would make a worthy Governor’s Volunteer Award winner! Together, we can all work toward a brighter future.