Mason City man awarded volunteer award from governor

MASON CITY – A Mason City man received a 2014 Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Terry E. Branstad during a special recognition ceremony this week in Cedar Falls.

Stuart Vold received an Individual Volunteer Award by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of North Central Iowa for serving as a Reading Buddy in Mason City.

“Stu Vold has served with RSVP for four years. Each week he tutors second-grade students in reading,” said Molly Anderegg, RSVP director. “Stu goes above and beyond when it comes to commitment and passion for volunteering and helping students. He is a tremendous resource for Judy Piersma at Roosevelt Elementary School and the help he provides students is invaluable.”

Piersma said Vold makes tutoring fun by encouraging students to read with expression. “The kids love Stu!” she said. Vold takes an interest in every student and informs her when students are ready for more challenging books, she added. He knows what topics interest the children and encourages them to find books they will enjoy. Vold also helped develop a reading incentive program and coordinates guest readers in the classroom.

“It’s always a great pleasure for me to honor and recognize the volunteers who accomplish extraordinary things through service to help their communities, fellow citizens, and the great state of Iowa,” said Branstad. “These dedicated volunteers lead by example—not only encouraging the people they help, but motivating others to serve as well. I sincerely thank them all for their dedication and efforts.”

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards (GVA) program was created in 1982, with inaugural awards presented in 1983. What began as a small program for state government agencies has expanded over the years and now provides all Iowa nonprofit, charitable, and government organizations with an easy way to honor their volunteers with a prestigious state-level award. Hundreds of volunteers are recognized each year with awards in one of four categories: Individual, Group, Length of Service or Disaster Volunteer.

Recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Award do not need to live in Iowa, but their service must have benefited Iowans or an Iowa organization. Award criteria include an individual or group who has:

• demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activities
• demonstrated exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to others
• made an outstanding contribution to state or community through volunteer service
• The Governor’s Volunteer Award program is coordinated by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor’s Office.

[poll random]