Governor's Service Awards

media release: Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez will recognize outstanding local volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who have gone beyond the call of duty to help our fellow Wisconsinites at the 2023 Governor's Service Awards.

This year, we will honor fifteen individuals and one organization from throughout the state for their outstanding volunteerism and service. Additionally, we will recognize 48 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who have reached the milestone of 20 years of service to their fellow Wisconsinites.

The honorees' service addressed critical issues impacting Wisconsin communities throughout the last year, including academic and social support for students, increasing access to health care and cancer screenings, assisting refugees, and filling gaps in support for populations throughout the state.

The Governor's Service Awards ceremony will be held at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens (3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704) at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez will open the ceremony with remarks and present the awards to the 2023 honorees.

The Governor's Service Awards are organized by Serve Wisconsin, the state board responsible for supporting the work of AmeriCorps programs and promoting volunteerism throughout the state. A list of 2023 honorees and their programs are included below, with additional information about the Governor's Service Awards, including past winners, available at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards.

2023 Governor's Service Awards Honorees

 AmeriCorps Member of the Year:  Lyndsey Johnson - College Possible Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)

AmeriCorps Member of the Year:  Malysha MacFarland - College Possible Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)

AmeriCorps VISTA Member of the Year: Allison Hrovat - Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (Appleton, WI)

AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year: Tianna R. Evans - originally served with Teach For America Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI)

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year: Linda Longmore - Western Dairyland RSVP (Independence, WI)

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year: Corrine Rolli - Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program - Foster Grandparent Program (Dodgeville, WI)

AmeriCorps Seniors Program of the Year: Coulee Region RSVP (La Crosse, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - East Central Wisconsin: Sister Sally Ann Brickner - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay (Green Bay)

Volunteer of the Year - East Central Wisconsin:  Joe and Audrey Leisgang - Bellin Health and American Red Cross of Wisconsin - Northeast Chapter (Green Bay)

Volunteer of the Year - Northeast Wisconsin: Iris Firgens - Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council - Senior Companion Program (Shawano, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - Northwest Wisconsin: Debra Newago Proulx - Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council - Senior Companion Program (Bayfield, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - Southeast Wisconsin: Maddie Frohmeier - Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County (Fredonia, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - Southeast Wisconsin: Jake Martin - United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties (Fort Atkinson, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - Southwest Wisconsin: Cathy Schmale - United Way of Dane County (Oregon, WI)

Volunteer of the Year - West Central Wisconsin: Valjean J Adams - African American Mutual Assistance Network, Inc. (Onalaska, WI)

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers with 20 Years of Service

Coulee Region RSVP: Beth Curtis, Jean Gabrielson, John Hamilton, Evelyn Miller

Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency RSVP: Jan Carlson, Merry Nuutinen

RSVP of Dane County: Debra Baker, Myrna D.  Heiser, Mary Ihlenfeldt, Betty Ingwell, Lynn Klink, Alison Koelsch, Mary Odell, Joan Paar Jean B. Ruhde, Marsha Schaeffer, Gregg Williard, Ann Wolfe

RSVP of Portage County: Bob Brush, Janice Doxtator, Karen Fadner, Darlene Schroda, Edward Severson

RSVP of Racine County: Nat Cycenas, Barbara Hanke

RSVP of Rock County: Darlene Breden

Volunteer Fox Cities RSVP: Jim Glasheen, Lorna Hamilton, Betty Lange, Jim Mauthe, Millie Mauthe

Western Dairyland RSVP: June Bartilson, Gena Coach, Joyce Cooper, Jacquelyn Erwin, Doris Estenson, Lavonne Ganz, Christine Giese, Verna Gunderson, Earl Hetrick, Rita Hetrick, Sonya Iberg, Dorothy Kruschke, Janet Michaels, Joanne Miles, LaMay Nelson, Ruth Schaffner, Jeanette Scheuermann