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News Release                    
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:
Jody Benz, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service 515.725.3094 or Stacy Schultz, Hospice of Southwest Iowa 712.352.1389

29th ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S
VOLUNTEER AWARDS PRESENTED


Hospice of Southwest Iowa volunteer Gretchen Miller and her therapy dog “Tucker”of Council Bluffs, IA received a 2012 Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Terry E. Branstad during a special recognition ceremony held on June 27th in Council Bluffs, IA.

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983.  What began as a small program only available to 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 recognition award.

Several hundred volunteers are recognized each year with awards in one of several categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service or Disaster Volunteer.

"I am very pleased to honor those who have given the precious gift of their time to make a difference and enrich lives in communities all across Iowa,” said Governor Branstad.  “I never tire of meeting volunteers and hearing about the wonderful accomplishments they contribute to making this state great.”

“Gretchen Miller is a wonderful asset to Hospice of Southwest Iowa. She is a dedicated volunteer, a hard worker, and always willing to help out her hospice team. Gretchen visits hospice patients to provide pet therapy with her beautiful dog, Tucker. With Tucker’s help, Gretchen is able to provide companionship to hospice patients with a variety of end-of-life needs. Gretchen not only provides pet therapy services, but she also participates in the “No One Die’s Alone” (NODA) program and is always willing to fill in for other volunteers.” Said Erika Sayles, Volunteer Program Coordinator.

The Governor’s Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor’s Office.  For more information, visit volunteeriowa.org/awards or call 515.725.3094.

The annual “Volunteering in America” study, released each summer, details the millions of hours that volunteers in Iowa collectively contribute.  The estimated annual economic impact of that service is well over $1 billion.  The entire report can be viewed at www.volunteeringinamerica.gov


Our offices: Council Bluffs 427 East Kanesville, Suite 100, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51503 and Corning, 703 Rosary Drive, Corning, Iowa, 50841.