DEADLINE TO NOMINATE DELAWARE'S YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS IS JAN. 30

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 22, 2015) - Nominations for the Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards are now being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism. These awards recognize the important contributions that Delaware's volunteers, 18 and younger, make to their communities through volunteerism. Award recipients will be honored at a special ceremony April 21 at Dover Downs.

The awards honor individuals, school organizations and community groups in the areas of arts and culture, education, community service, environment, health, human needs, and social justice. Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2014.

The nomination form and a sample of a successful narrative are all available on volunteerdelaware.org. Nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing carrie.hart@delaware.gov or by calling 857-5006. You may also email the nomination form to Carrie Hart prior to submission for review and feedback.

The deadline for nominations to be received is Jan. 30, 2015, to the Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards, 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901, or emailed to carrie.hart@delaware.gov.

"Through volunteer service, many young people are doing much to improve the lives of their fellow Delawareans," Gov. Jack Markell said. "Please take the time to nominate the youth volunteers doing great things in your schools, neighborhoods, places of worship or through your community organizations."

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

"Every day Delaware's youngest volunteers contribute to their communities, making them better places for us all," said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, which oversees the State Office of Volunteerism. "Through their commitments, these young people are developing what I hope will be a lifetime passion for public service and an understanding that a successful future will be measured by the difference they make in our society."

For more information about the awards, go to 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.