Nominations open for WA State Volunteer Service Awards

OLYMPIA (Nov. 2, 2023) — Union members and organizations are proud of their community service, but they often don’t get the recognition they deserve beyond labor newsletters and publications.

Serve Washington, a state commission that promotes public service, offers a great way to make sure your union’s good works are properly recognized. The Washington State Volunteer Service Awards seek to honor the many acts of kindness individuals, families and service groups perform in communities across the state of Washington.

Nominations are now open through Dec. 22. Submit your nominations here.

Nominations are open to all types of formal and informal volunteerism: neighbors helping neighbors, giving time to hospitals, disaster preparedness and response efforts, supporting events and food banks, delivering meals, through national service, and those who gave their time, care or assistance to help meet the challenges that 2023 presented.

“I consistently see union members and others performing extraordinary acts of volunteerism and kindness,” said Nathe Lawver, Secretary Treasurer of the Pierce County Central Labor Council, who is a member of the Serve Washington Commission. “I know these folks don’t do it for the recognition, but it’s important to lift up this work so others see how they can make a difference in their community.”

The Washington State Volunteer Service Award will be presented to one outstanding individual (formal or informal) and one outstanding group of volunteers or volunteer program in each of the following regions:

• Peninsula/Coastal: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Kitsap
• South Puget Sound: Mason, Thurston, Pierce, Lewis
• Southwest: Cowlitz, Skamania, Clark, Wahkiakum
• South Central: Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Yakima
• Southeast: Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Columbia, Asotin
• Northeast: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane
• North Central: Okanagan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant
• North Puget Sound: King, Snohomish
• Northwest: Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island

These awards replace the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards and have been restructured to make volunteer recognition opportunities more equitable by removing barriers, such as time and costs associated with travel, as well as to be more reflective of local communities’ needs.

A panel of judges comprised of Serve Washington commission members and community members will select the award recipients. The deadline to submit your nomination is Dec. 22 by 5 p.m.