Volunteers Play Critical Role

Four Volunteers Receive Governor’s Award

July 31st, 2018

Brucemore volunteers–Mark Bornemann, Melissa Chapman, Mary Campbell, and June Silliman–received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds during a special recognition ceremony held August 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Linn-Mar High School in Marion.

The volunteers were honored with an individual award by Brucemore for extraordinary service to the organization.

“As an independent non-profit, Brucemore relies on the support of more than 250 volunteers to inspire 45,000 visitors to the site annually,” said Director of Community Engagement, Tara Richards. “Volunteers play a critical role in giving guided tours of the 1886 mansion, facilitating a variety of family and cultural events, and supporting the organization’s mission to preserve and share the estate.”

Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program—now in its 35^th year— recognizes the dedicated people who volunteer their time and talent to help fulfill the missions of Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities. The program provides an easy way for these organizations to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.

More than 500 awards are being presented this year during ceremonies held at several locations around the state. It is estimated that more than 20,000 hours of service, with an economic impact of nearly $500,000, were served by this year’s honorees during the past twelve months.

About Volunteer Iowa (Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service)

Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.

*Pictured left to right: Jessica Peel-Austin (Brucemore Museum Program Manager), Melissa Chapman (volunteer), Mark Bornemann (volunteer), and Melissa Porter (Brucemore Museum Program Manager)