Governor Evers recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for their service at the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards

Governor Tony Evers congratulated the honorees at the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards, stating, “I want to recognize all the individuals and programs being honored today for the truly extraordinary work and service you’ve provided to communities across Wisconsin…and I’m incredibly grateful for the work that you do. Whether it’s helping communities in need, cleaning up and protecting our natural spaces, or supporting veterans and their families, the work AmeriCorps does makes a difference. And there’s no denying that the overall success of our state has always relied on the hard work and dedication of individuals and organizations like yourselves.”

Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy reflected on the impact the honorees have made and the example they set for others, “the honorees we recognize today represent the very best of Wisconsin—people who give of themselves, who uplift others, and who remind us of the power of compassion in action. Their selfless contributions have created lasting, positive change, and we are proud to share their stories with you. But today is not just about our award recipients—it’s also a celebration of all those across Wisconsin who show up every day to serve. Whether through formal programs or quiet acts of kindness, your efforts are building stronger, more connected communities. You all play a vital role in making Wisconsin a better place to live.”

The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding Wisconsin volunteers, AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and national service organizations that address serious social needs across Wisconsin. The 2025 ceremony recognized twelve individuals and one organization from throughout the state for their outstanding volunteerism and service and 33 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for reaching the milestone of twenty years of volunteer service in their communities. The awards were presented on May 15 at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison and were sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, the state commission for national and community service.

After acknowledging the challenges that many national service programs have faced, Governor Evers thanked them for their service, saying, “I will continue to use every lever and power available to me to continue supporting your good work because if there’s one thing I know for sure, we couldn’t be more grateful that each and every day you choose to serve the public and the greater good. Thank you all again for your dedicated service to Wisconsin and the people of this state, and congratulations to this year’s award recipients.”

A recording of the ceremony is available at https://youtu.be/4Dsm294-dbQ

Service descriptions for each honoree are available at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Service-Descriptions-2025-Governors-Service-Awards.pdf

Additional information about the Governor’s Service Awards can be found at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards

2025 Governor’s Service Awards Honorees

AmeriCorps Member of the Year

Julie Wilson – Marshfield Clinic Health System – Recovery Corps (Eau Claire)

AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year

Bharath Shetty – Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (Milwaukee)

AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year

Sara Shaw – served with Teach For America Milwaukee (Milwaukee)

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year

Chuck Kamp – RSVP of Dane County (Madison)

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year

James Lee – Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County (Cedarburg)

AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer

Harriet Edwards – ADVOCAP Foster Grandparent Program (Fond du Lac)

AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer

Maryann Ludwigson – CESA 10 AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (Chippewa Falls)

AmeriCorps Seniors Lifetime Impact Volunteer

Judy Wightman – RSVP of Rock County (Beloit)

AmeriCorps Seniors Program of the Year

Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County AmeriCorps Seniors Program (Grafton)

Volunteer of the Year

Analena Peterson – Literacy & Positive Impact Advocacy (Germantown)

Volunteer of the Year

Sage Spear – United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties (Whitewater)

Volunteer of the Year

Jaxson Thomas – Jaxson’s Christmas Toy Drive (Kenosha)

Marty Stein Friend of National Service Exemplary Supporter

Steve Frodl – emeritus program director of NCCAP AmeriCorps (Wausau)

AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WITH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

In addition to these nomination-based awards, the Governor’s Service Awards will also recognize all AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers who will have reached their 20th year of volunteer service between June 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025.

ADVOCAP Foster Grandparent Program

• Harriet Edwards

Foster Grandparent Program of Portage County

• Marilyn Pederson

Milwaukee County and Waukesha County RSVP

• Mary Jo Burkemper
• Ed Ericksen
• Gail Hovey
• Mary Kubesch
• Bud Moertl
• Paul Trojan
• Dianne Warrick
• John Watta

RSVP of Dane County

• Stuart Baker
• Robert H. Coffin
• Thomas Krauskopf
• Sherry Lange
• Suzanne Matiash
• Stephanie Moritz
• Georgia Punswick
• Bob Ruder
• Doris Marie Schnabel
• Jerry Schultz
• Sue Sheets
• Deborah Speckmann

RSVP of Portage County

• Roseann Debot
• Steve Lybeck
• Joanne Mlodik
• David Pederson
• Donna Rossing

RSVP of Rock County

• Lina Nelson
• Judy Wightman

Volunteer Fox Cities RSVP

• Robert Salm
• Kathleen Salm

Western Dairyland RSVP

• Louise Bauer
• Dianne Bossert

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.