Governor Tony Evers presents the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards
Amelia Ford. Photo courtesy of Serve Wisconsin.
[Madison, Wisconsin] – Recognizing the power everyday contributions made by engaged citizens Governor Tony Evers recognized 10 individual and three programs at the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony for their significant service to Wisconsin citizens and communities on October 15, 2020.
The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding volunteers, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants and programs, veterans, local volunteers, and AmeriCorps alumni that address serious social needs across Wisconsin, including specific recognitions this year for those responding to COVID-19. The awards are sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, which is the state commission for national and community service.
“Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members were some of the first folks to step up to the plate to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, rising to the challenges in front of us by connecting virtually with students and those at high risk for COVID-19 by providing critical assistance of students, helping those that are the most vulnerable or in need in our communities, and by distributing meals and supplies and PPE,” stated Governor Tony Evers. “This good work exemplifies our shared Wisconsin values, empathy, compassion, service, and taking care of our neighbors, because that’s what Wisconsinites do. And it is needed now more than ever, as our communities and neighbors struggle with new challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us. Our state is stronger because of folks like you.”
We have an exceptional and inspiring group of honorees this year that hail from all parts of the state and have performed a diverse array of service. I am amazed at the variety of service that they have done. I am also sobered by the continuing challenges faced many of our fellow Wisconsinites and the wish the needs our volunteers were solving did not exist, and we all know that COVID-19 has only amplified the needs in our communities,” stated Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. “Today you will be inspired how AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and VISTA members and volunteers have risen to the challenge. They have continued to serve even at risk to their own personal safety and others have completely changed course to respond to needs that have arisen from the pandemic.”
Details on each honoree and the service they perform for Wisconsin, as well as the recording of the ceremony, can be found at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards.
The 2020 Governor’s Service Awards Honorees are:
AmeriCorps Member of the Year
Amelia Ford, Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Project – Racine, WI
Summer Schwartz. Photo courtesy of Serve Wisconsin
AmeriCorps Member of the Year
Summer Schwartz, Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley – Home Base – Appleton, WI
AmeriCorps Program of the Year
College Possible Milwaukee – Milwaukee, WI
AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year
Monica Kramer, Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinic at Healthnet of Rock County – Janesville, WI
AmeriCorps VISTA Program of the Year
Achieve Brown County – Green Bay, WI
Senior Corps Volunteer of the Year
Mabel Bass, Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program – Foster Grandparents Program – Platteville, WI
Senior Corps Volunteer of the Year
William Roundwind, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council – Foster Grandparents Program – Odanah, WI
Veteran Volunteer of the Year Service
Phillip Allen, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Salem, WI
AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year
Jennifer López, originally served with Teach For America Los Angeles and currently working as CEO of the Carmen School Network – Milwaukee, WI
AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year
DeShanda Williams, originally served with Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services at Pathfinders and currently working as the Director of the Runaway and Homeless Services at Pathfinders Milwaukee — Milwaukee, WI
COVID-19 Response Service Award
Amber Bydynkowski, WisCorps – La Crosse, WI
COVID-19 Response Service Award
DuWayne Gust, Coulee Region RSVP – La Crosse, WI
COVID-19 Response Service Award
WisCorps – La Crosse, WI
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.
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