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Volunteer Texas > Governor’s Volunteer Awards
The Governor's Volunteer Awards program honors the exemplary service and volunteerism of individuals and organizations making a significant impact in communities across Texas.
Nominations for the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Awards will open in April 2021.
We invite you to participate in this annual program by nominating deserving individuals and organizations for their service and celebrating the incredible accomplishments of award recipients.
OneStar is pleased to celebrate the incredible work of the 2020 Governor’s Volunteer Award recipients.
Governor's Lone Star Achievement Award
First Lady’s Rising Star Award
First Lady’s Rising Star Award
Partners in Education Award
Service to Veterans Award (Individual)
Service to Veterans Award (Organization)
Higher Education Community Impact Award
Corporate Community Impact Award
Community Leadership Award (Individual)
Community Leadership Award
(Organization)
Community Leadership Award (Collaborative)
National Service “Make a Difference” Award
The irrepressible spirit of service shines brightly in Texas. I am honored to celebrate the extraordinary generosity of these outstanding awardees, who have found selfless and compassionate solutions to strengthen their communities.
Each year, OneStar accepts nominations for standout service and volunteerism efforts across a number of awards categories that recognize the diverse ways Texans are serving their communities.
Recognizes the exemplary service of an individual who has volunteered for a minimum of 15 years. Lone Star Achievers are those rare individuals who recognize a community need and create new systems, programs, and/or processes to achieve positive change.
2020 | Bill Gilliland |
2019 | Sammy Nieto |
2018 | John Poston |
2017 | David Godwin |
2016 | Dennis Cavner |
2015 | Will Williams |
Recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals 18 years or younger serving and inspiring their community. These young volunteers demonstrate leadership, commitment to service, and the ability to inspire others to serve. Rising Stars mobilize others to achieve measurable impact on critical issues within their communities.
2020 | Annie Zhu & Shirley Zhu The Three Mask-eteers |
2019 | Kara Weld |
2018 | ZeeShawn Wani |
2017 | Micah Pinson |
2016 | Taylor Thompson |
2015 | Cullen Corr |
Recognizes an individual or group that demonstrates measurable impact on a recognized need within public, charter or parochial schools. These volunteers have implemented innovative and/or informed or evidence-based solutions to further educational goals for students.
2020 | The Women’s Fund |
2019 | Reading With Barbers |
2018 | Fidelity Investments |
2017 | Fort Bend Education Foundation |
2016 | Literacy First |
2015 | Teach for America Rio Grande Valley |
Recognizes individuals or organizations that have designed program(s) or services to meet the needs of military-connected families or individuals.
2020 | Brandy Baxter Carry The Load |
2019 | TRIUMPH Program / H.O.N.O.R. Mentoring |
2018 | United Way Military Information & Referral Navigator |
2017 | Tony Smith |
2016 | Healing our Heroes Project |
2015 | Military Veteran Peer Network of Houston |
Recognizes an individual, group, or organization for strengthening their community through intentional partnerships. These volunteers understand the importance of service and develop connections between groups and individuals and forge collaborative solutions to meet local needs.
2020 | Sammy Nieto |
2019 | Blake Jennings Crime Stoppers of Houston AmeriCorps Central Texas |
2018 | Katy Bourgeois Rust Street Ministries Marissa Vogel |
2017 | Haven for Hope Ambassador Program |
2016 | Medical Center of the Americas Foundation in El Paso Spring Branch Family Development Center Bastrop County Long Term Recovery Team |
2015 | Children’s Advocacy Centers |
Recognizes a private sector entity, including small businesses, for implementing employee volunteer programs that have demonstrable community impact and setting community service as a core value and business strategy.
2020 | Texas Mutual |
2019 | Noble Charities / Noble Texas Builders |
2018 | CITGO Petroleum Corporation |
2017 | USAA |
2016 | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Blue Corps Carmelo’s Restaurants |
2015 | ExxonMobil Pro Bono Program Houston |
Recognizes a university, college, or community college that supports and encourages civic engagement and volunteering as a core value.
2020 | Rebuild Texas Carpentry Skills Training Program at Del Mar College |
2019 | St. Mary’s University Austin Community College Office of Student Life |
2018 | The University of Texas at El Paso |
2017 | University of Houston – SURE Program |
2016 | Texas Christian University Office for Community Engagement |
2015 | The Big Event at Texas A&M University |
Recognizes the exemplary achievement of an AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps Seniors member who is currently serving or has served the State of Texas. The volunteer/member has achieved extraordinary impact above and beyond the scope of their service requirement.
2020 | Samantha Mariel Sandoval Hernández |
2019 | Katie Blair Douglas A. Brown |
2018 | Sara Lamog David Porter, IV Ron & Linda Aten |
2017 | Shelby Thomas Erin Moody Arlen & Mary Beth Lohse |
2016 | Brenda Gormley |
2015 | JoAnn Gama Ed Boyer |
The Governor’s Volunteer Awards program abides by the following guidelines to maintain fairness and transparency.
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