REMINDER: DEADLINE TO NOMINATE DELAWARE'S OUTSTANDING ADULT VOLUNTEERS IS AUG. 18

NEW CASTLE (Aug. 13, 2014) -

Nominations for the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism through Aug. 18. These awards recognize the important contributions that Delaware's volunteers, 18 and older, make to their communities. Award recipients will be honored Oct. 14 at a special ceremony at Dover Downs Hotel.

The awards honor individuals, organizations, community groups, and corporate volunteerism in the areas of arts and culture, education, community service, environment, health, human needs and social justice. The Paul Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a person who has had a longtime commitment to volunteerism. Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2013.

"Every day, I see the difference that volunteers are making in our communities, especially with the support they provide to vulnerable children and adults," Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf said. "As that connection increases, so does the caliber of the nominations that we see. All of that makes the committee's decisions on award-winners even more challenging."

The nomination form, frequently asked questions, as well as a sample of a successful nomination narrative are all available on www.volunteerdelaware.org. Nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing carrie.hart@delaware.gov or by calling (302) 857-5006. Prior to submission, you may email the nomination form to Carrie Hart for review and feedback.

Nominations must be delivered by Aug. 18 to the Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor's Volunteer Service Awards, 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901, or emailed to carrie.hart@delaware.gov.

More than 148,000 Delawareans volunteered in 2010, contributing 16.9 million hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service. Another 41,000 Delawareans volunteered informally by helping neighbors or working on community issues.

The Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor and are coordinated by the State Office of Volunteerism and the Governor's Commission on Community and Volunteer Service

For more information about the awards or volunteer opportunities, go to www.volunteerdelaware.org, or contact Carrie Hart, Volunteer Service Administrator, at (302) 857-5006.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.