The Missouri Community Service Commission (MCSC) held its 22nd Annual Show Me Service Awards this afternoon at the Missouri State Capitol, to recognize the impact of service and volunteerism throughout the state.
“Our state is home to truly outstanding citizens who generously donate their time and talents to strengthen communities,” said Michelle Hataway, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development. “We’re proud to join the Missouri Community Service Commission in recognizing these inspiring individuals for their efforts in helping Missourians prosper.”
The Show Me Service Awards are divided into seven categories and awarded across four regions: North/Central, St. Louis area, Kansas City area, and Southern. Categories include Youth, Adult, Senior, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors (Senior Corps), Business, and Community. A special award named after commissioner John R. Albright is also presented.
“This exciting annual event is an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the power of service embodied by Missouri citizens,” said Brittany Crabtree, Executive Director of the Missouri Community Service Commission. “Our hope is that the Show Me Service Awards will motivate others to get out into their communities and help create positive change.”
The goal of the Show Me Service Awards is to highlight the service and volunteerism that Missourians provide to strengthen their communities and improve their quality of life.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
- Elias Alavez – Kansas City
- Sruti Sureshkumar – St. Louis
- Ethan Romig – North/Central
- Malachi Williams – South
Adult Volunteer of the Year
- Bailey Baker – Kansas City
- Gunveer Singh Bhatia – St. Louis
- Aaron Baker – North/Central
- Jack Cooper II – South
Senior Volunteer of the Year
- Jane Henderson – Kansas City
- Pat Trupka – St. Louis
- Rhonda Stout – North/Central
- Susan Carlsten – South
AmeriCorps Member of the Year
- Stacy Kolars – Kansas City
- Emily Ray – St. Louis
- Sean Curd – North/Central
- Josh Bass – South
AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year
- Carole Konruff – Kansas City
- Sharon Hayes – St. Louis
- Linda Vedder – North/Central
- Bennie Johnson – South
Business of the Year
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield – Kansas City
- 4Feet Off the Ground – St. Louis
Community of the Year
- Sikhs of MO – St. Louis
John R. Albright Award
- Senator Roy Blunt
**To request an awardee's headshot, please email mcsc@ded.mo.gov.
About the Missouri Community Service Commission
The Missouri Community Service Commission is a bipartisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Its mission is to strengthen Missouri communities through volunteerism and service. Through its AmeriCorps and volunteer programming, MCSC invests over $38 million into Missouri communities annually.
For more information on MCSC, and to find a place to volunteer, visit ShowMeService.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all background to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. AmeriCorps members have the opportunity to serve in six key areas of their community - disaster services, education, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veteran and military families.
For more information on AmeriCorps, visit americorps.gov.
About the Missouri Department of Economic Development
The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri’s businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. As one team built around the customer and driven by data, DED aspires to be the best economic development department in the Midwest. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.
For the latest updates on DED’s current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED’s website.