Michigan Governor’s Service Award Winners Include Holland and Spring Lake Residents

Last week, the Michigan Community Service Commission announced the 28 winners of the 2016 Governor's Service Awards.

A Spring Lake resident won the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, a Holland resident won the Senior Volunteer of the Year Award and a Grand Rapids company was given the Outstanding National Service Program Award.

The winners were chosen for their commitment to volunteer service.

Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: James Polet (Holland) - Jim is 87 years old. He began volunteering over 20 years ago with his church. After retiring in 1993, he began to volunteer more, especially with construction projects. He volunteers with Jubliee Ministries, International Aid and Habitat for Humanity and has been a weekly volunteer with Habitat for Humanity since 2003. Since 2014, Jim has helped more than 41 families receive new homes or repairs and has served more than 1,400 hours.

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: Aubrey Cohoon (Spring Lake) - After receiving a lot of birthday presents on her 7th birthday, Aubrey decided to do something different when she turned 8. She asked for donations to an educational fund for two classmates who had lost a father to cancer. The next year, she asked for donations to a transitional home where a classmate had been living. Aubrey, now 12, has continued to collect birthday donations and has raised nearly $35,000 for Make-A-Wish of Michigan. She also helps with other fundraisers, is a volunteer figure skating coach and supports other charities.

“Michiganders have always displayed a willingness to help neighbors and communities through service and volunteerism,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “These 28 Michigan residents, programs and businesses have gone above and beyond to create a lasting positive impact across the state. I am proud to recognize them for their selfless efforts.”

The Governor’s Service Awards winners will be honored during a special ceremony on Aug. 30 at the Temple Theatre in Saginaw. The 28 winners are being honored in eight categories that reflect the diverse nature of volunteers throughout Michigan.

The full list of winners:

• Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award: Doris Jacques (Saginaw)
• Corporate Community Leader Award: Bank of Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor); Dow Chemical (Midland); Gast Manufacturing (Benton Harbor)
• Mentor of the Year Award: Christine Alvarado (Holly); Alphonso Amos (Port Huron)
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Mike McFarlen (Battle Creek); Richard Chatman (Detroit); Wanda Westman (Ishpeming)
• Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: Paul Goldsmith (Farmington Hills); James Polet (Holland); Lucille Wright (Bath); Nancy Bryant (Mt. Pleasant)
• Youth Volunteer of the Year Award: Caleb White (Commerce Twp.); Aubrey Cohoon (Spring Lake); Eliana Margherio (Bloomfield Hills); Emily Prokop (Birmingham); Alan Sun (Canton); Anna Sun (Canton); Sikander Khan (Jackson)
• Outstanding National Service Program Award: Cherry Health Community HealthCorps (Grand Rapids); Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps (Lansing); RSVP of Otsego County (Gaylord); MARESA AmeriCorps (Marquette)
• Outstanding Volunteer Program Award: Memorial HealthCare (Owosso); Just Speak, Inc. (Detroit); Flowers for Friends (Petoskey); Friends of the Porcupine Mountains (Ontonagon)