WV VOAD to Receive 2015 Governor's Service Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT

September 14, 2015 Moya Doneghy

(304) 558-0111

DISASTER SERVICES ORGANIZATION TO RECEIVE A

GOVERNOR’S SERVICE AWARD

CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Compassion, enthusiasm and dedication characterize the volunteer service of West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) who have been selected as recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Service Award.

On Wednesday, October 14, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will honor the group’s dedication to service at the annual Governor’s Service Awards luncheon at the Charleston Civic Center. The event is held as a part of Faces of Leadership, the annual state conference on community service, program management and volunteerism.

Presented since 1995, the Governor’s Service Awards honors individuals, families and organizations that exemplify outstanding dedication to volunteerism and community service in West Virginia. WV VOAD will receive its award in the Disaster Services category.

West Virginia VOAD provides an organized framework for many diverse faith-based and non-governmental organizations to combine their resources to meet the disaster-related needs of West Virginia citizens. All members of WV VOAD are motivated by the desire to assist those in most need following disasters of all types. When disasters strike, those most affected often have the least resources. Governmental assistance is not always available to help and federal disaster assistance for individual households has strict guidelines that cannot always be met.

Survivors of disasters must often rely on volunteer organizations to provide the desperately needed recovery resources. WV VOAD coordinates volunteer assistance that includes sheltering, feeding, delivering supplies, counselling and assistance removing ‘muck’ from property and providing building material and labor to effect repairs. WV VOAD member organizations give hope to survivors who might otherwise be neglected, letting them know they are not forgotten regardless of their need. To meet the constant needs of survivors, WV VOAD is always seeking new partners and innovative solutions to recovery issues.

The Governor’s Service Awards are administered by Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service. A volunteer review committee reads and selects the recipients on the basis of achievement, community needs, continuing involvement, innovation and impact of service.

Other recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Service Awards include, by category:

Ø Youth: Quinn Raffo, Nicholas County; Roark Sizemore, Monongalia County

Ø Adult: Timothy Graham and Paul Lemon, Wood County

Ø Senior: Jim Weimer, Kanawha County; Lee Reger, Harrison County

Ø National Service: Christin Shinaberry, Pocahontas County

Ø Lifetime Achievement: Sandra Barkey, Kanawha County; Daisy Hite, Berkeley County

Ø Disaster Services: Monroe County Health Department Community Emergency Response Team

Ø Organization: Big Ugly Community Center, Lincoln County; Circus Saints and Sinners Club, Ohio County; The Service League of Morgantown, Monongalia County

For tickets to the awards luncheon contact Moya Doneghy at (304) 558-0111, or by email at moya.doneghy@wv.gov. For more information about Faces of Leadership visit www.facesofleadershipwv.com.

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About Volunteer West Virginia

Volunteer West Virginia is the state’s Commission for National and Community Service. The agency challenges West Virginians to strengthen their communities through service and volunteerism by identifying and mobilizing resources, promoting an ethic of service, and empowering communities to solve problems and improve the quality of life for individuals and families.

Contact:

Moya Doneghy
304-558-0111
moya.doneghy@wv.gov.