Louisville, KY – According to the state officials, this is the 27th year for the annual service awards, which recognize the contributions of Kentuckians to their fellow citizens.
Each year a special ceremony is held to publicly honor the recipients and others who have given to their communities through volunteering and service, without expectation of reward or commendation.
To honor individuals and groups and to highlight the impact of volunteerism and service, Serve Kentucky, an agency of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is accepting nominations on behalf of the Office of the Governor. The award nomination deadline is Friday, Sept. 30.
Volunteer service must have been performed in Kentucky, serving primarily Kentuckians. Individuals and groups may be nominated in only one category.
Self-nominations are accepted. Award categories spotlight the contributions of individuals, businesses and groups. Volunteer Awards include youth, adult, senior, and veteran. Group awards include general, nonprofit and faith-based. Other categories honor national service such as AmeriCorps and lifetime achievement.
Award winners from the previous five years are ineligible for this year’s awards.
Independent panels of reviewers score nominations using an assigned judging worksheet. The awards committee will consider top-scoring nominations in each category and will collectively decide the winners.
Gov. Andy Beshear released the following statement:
“Through some of the most challenging times in our history, which involved the recent flooding and mudslides in Eastern Kentucky; last December’s storms and tornadoes in Western Kentucky; a once-in-a-century pandemic and other natural disasters, Kentuckians have continued to be there for one another. I urge Kentuckians to nominate someone they know who deserves our gratitude and appreciation for all their hard work and service to others.”