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Governor Hogan Hosts 34th Annual Governor’s Service Awards

ANNAPOLIS, MD– Governor Larry Hogan today hosted the 34th Annual Governor’s Service Awards to celebrate the outstanding volunteer contributions of Maryland residents and organizations. A total of 17 honorees received awards in the categories of: Youth, Emerging Leader, Individual, Lifetime Achievement, Member of the Board, National Service, AmeriCorps Alum, Faith- Based, Exemplary Service Learning, Group/Team, Non Profit Volunteer Program, Corporate Business, First Responder, State Employee, Veteran, and the prestigious Champion of Service.

“Our administration is proud to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary service to their communities and our state,” said Governor Hogan. “We are working tirelessly to improve the quality of life of our citizens, and we are fortunate that we are not alone in our efforts. Congratulations to all of our honorees and thank you for the work you do every single day.”

Governor Hogan presented the prestigious Champion of Service Award to Mr. J.W. Marriott, in recognition of his exemplary leadership in service and volunteerism through the work of Marriott International, Inc. and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation over the past six decades. Most recently, Marriott set a goal of 15 million hours of community engagement by 2025. To help accomplish this goal, the company plans for at least 80 percent of their 6,000 properties to participate in annual community service activities by 2022.

This year, two new award categories were announced: Emerging Leader and Member of the Board. The emerging leader award celebrates the accomplishments and service of a rising star in the volunteer community. The member of the board award recognizes the outstanding contributions of an individual who serves on a board or commission who has gone above and beyond their commitment, lending their expertise, experience, and skills to improve the board or commission on which they serve.

A list of all honorees is provided below:

Champion of Service
J.W. Marriott, Jr. – Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International, Inc.

Youth
Grace Callwood – A 13-year-old survivor of Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Founder of The We Cancerve Movement Inc.

Emerging Leader
Shelby McNeill – Volunteer at Woodlawn High School, recent graduate of Stevenson University.

Individual
Gary Cahn – Volunteer life skills teacher at Washington Metropolitan Oasis, founder of Recycle My Computer program for low-income seniors.

Lifetime Achievement
Miriam Zadek – Lifelong advocate for the Deaf and hard of hearing, Member of the Board at the Hearing and Speech Agency of Baltimore.

Member of the Board
Debra Prohaska – President of the Board at The Jude House Inc.

National Service
Gabrielle Caddell -Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps alumni, The SEED School of Maryland.

AmeriCorps Alum
Kimberly Coleman – Alumni of Teach for America, currently a teacher at Patterson Park Public Charter School

Faith- Based
Gary R. Martin – Decade-long volunteer at Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, U.S. Air Force veteran.

Exemplary Service Learning
Mina Work – Lyme disease awareness advocate, recent graduate of Southern High School.

Group/Team
Court Watch Montgomery – Domestic violence victims’ advocacy group dedicated to improving services and protections through data collection and analysis.

Non Profit Volunteer Program
Building Families for Children – Safe Families for Children Program – Volunteer-driven program created to help children avoid state foster care programs, prevent child abuse and neglect, and help provide family support and stability.

Corporate Business
Giant Food – Supermarket chain based in Landover, Maryland. Through the Giant Food Distribution Center, Giant Food promotes health nutrition and food stability for families in need. The Distribution Center currently contributes food to seven schools in the Howard County Public School system.

First Responder
Alex Wade – Volunteer firefighter at Odenton Volunteer Fire Company who has averaged 540 emergency calls per year since joining in 2009 and has logged over 500 hours of training.

State Employee
William Berg – Career firefighter at BWI Fire Rescue Department, organizer of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Havre de Grace Head Shaving Fundraiser for child cancer research.

Veteran
David Duitscher – Volunteer for We Honor Veterans Program at Coastal Hospice, U.S. Army Reserves Veteran.

Meghan Quinn – Volunteer EMT at Glen Echo Fire Department, current naval ensign.


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