DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 13 FOR NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNOR'S YOUTH VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS

NEW CASTLE (April 8, 2016) - Nominations for the Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards are being extended through Wednesday, April 13. These awards recognize the important contributions that Delaware's youth volunteers, age 18 and younger, make to their communities. Award recipients will be honored May 19 at a ceremony at Polytech Adult Education Conference Center in Woodside.

The Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards honor the volunteer efforts of young Delawareans in the areas of arts and culture, community service, education, environment, health, human needs, public service and social justice/advocacy. Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2015, although prior volunteer activity can be highlighted to show long-term commitment. To be eligible, individuals must have been enrolled as secondary school students for the 2014-2015 academic year and be 18 or younger.

Nominations must be delivered by Wednesday, April 13, to the Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor's Volunteer Service Awards, c/o April Willey, Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901, or emailed to april.willey@delaware.gov .

According to a study by the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), more than 192,000 Delawareans volunteered in 2014, contributing 21.4 million hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations. Over a three-year period, CNCS found that about one in four young people in Delaware volunteer. The Governor's Youth 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 April Willey, Volunteer Service Administrator, at 302-857-5006 or via email april.willey@delaware.gov .

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.