Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Now Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Maryland Volunteers to be Recognized During 2020 Governor’s Service Awards

Awards Recognize Marylanders Striving to Lead Their Communities Through Service 

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism, Maryland’s State Service Commission, announced that nominations for the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards are now open. Throughout this challenging year, Marylanders have united to demonstrate extraordinary resilience, expand community relationships, and contribute to a collaborative ecosystem of service. In 2019, 19 individuals and groups were recognized by Governor Hogan and the State of Maryland at the awards ceremony in October.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has tested all of us in every way imaginable, but it has also revealed the true character of Marylanders by showing our ability to overcome any challenge, and our capacity to show remarkable courage in the face of great threat and overwhelming obstacles,” Governor Larry Hogan said, “Most of all, we’re showing America and the world, the power of compassion, generosity, and strength.” 

Nominations will be received in 16 categories. New categories include: Pandemic Response Champion and Emerging Leader. Traditional categories include: Governor’s Champion of Service Award, AmeriCorps Alum, Corporate Business, Faith-Based, First Responder, Group/Team, Individual, Lifetime Achievement, National Service, Nonprofit Volunteer Program, Veteran, Small Business, Youth, and Government Employee/Agency. Youth Service Awards will return in 2021.

“In honor of #MarylandStrong individuals, the 37th Annual Awards will recognize innovative, responsive, and empowering Marylanders across our state, who exemplify and model leading an effective response to coronavirus and social injustice” said Nicole Fiocco, Director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism. 

The nominations will be reviewed by a panel of community leaders, volunteers, and staff of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism. Nominations will be scored and ranked, based on the eligibility criteria listed in the nomination form. Each recipient will be notified of their selection near the end of summer and invited to an awards ceremony in the late fall. Learn more at http://gosv.maryland.gov/governors-service-awards.