The call has been made for nominations for the esteemed 2026 Governor's Volunteer Service Awards in North Carolina, an initiative recognizing the state's most dedicated volunteers since 1979. Governor Josh Stein expressed the importance of volunteering by saying, “Whether you’re donating your time at a local food bank or supporting your neighbors’ rebuild in western North Carolina, volunteers make our state stronger. I look forward to honoring the North Carolinians in every corner of the state whose selflessness has made lasting impacts on their communities,” according to the official announcement from the Governor's Office.
The awards are not limited to individual nominations as groups from the public, nonprofit, or private sector can also be put forward; these nominations are reviewed and evaluated at the county level by award coordinators after they are submitted online, the Governor's Office provides an online portal for submissions at nc.gov/volunteer, and then the top 20 to 25 recipients are granted the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service in recognition of their exemplary service. The Medallion awardees enjoy further acknowledgment at an annual ceremony in Raleigh overseen by VolunteerNC.
Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC, underscored the impact of such recognition, stating that “Volunteers' generosity, compassion, and dedication make North Carolina a stronger, more resilient state,” and this accolade serves as a testament to their ongoing contributions as highlighted by the Governor's Office press release.
VolunteerNC serves as the steward for the state's AmeriCorps programs, Disaster Services, Governor’s Page Program, and volunteer opportunities, working under the Office of the Governor to elevate community service, foster civic engagement, and improve the lives of the citizens within North Carolina, indeed anyone interested in contributing to their communities or learning more about the commission's work can get further information by visiting VolunteerNC | nc.gov.
