Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 23, 2015, Page 12

Boy Scout Troop #39 and Cub Scout Pack #39 of Mount Ayr were recently awarded a 2015 Governor's Volunteer Award from Gov. Terry Branstad.

The Scouts were honored with a group volunteer award by the Iowa Department of Transportation for their efforts at road clean-up.

"Iowa is recognized as a national leader in volunteerism and service because of our steadfast devotion of our volunteers," stated Governor Branstad. "I am pleased to have an opportunity to personally thank this year's Governor Volunteer Award recipients for contributing their priceless time and talent in ways that make an enormous difference in our state."

"The people selected for these awards have gone well above and beyond what's expected in their quest to help others," said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. "Their hard work and dedication have encouraged other citizens to become more engaged, which makes stronger communties."

The Governor's Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. What began as a small program for state government agencies, has expanded over the years and now provides all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level award. Hundreds of volunteers are recognized each year with awards in one of four categories: individual, Group, Length of Service or Disaster Volunteer.

Recipients of the Governor's Volunteer Award do not necessarily need to live in Iowa, but their service must have benefited Iowans or an Iowa organization. Award criteria include an individual or group who has:

made an outstanding contribution to state or community through volunteer service.

The Govenor's Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Govenor's Office.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2015