Governor to honor Delaware's outstanding volunteers

Governor Jack Markell will honor 31 individuals and groups at the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards Oct. 25 at Dover Downs.

More than 400 people are expected at the event. This year's award recipients participate in diverse activities such as protecting the environment, working to advance the arts and culture, and improving education.

The recipients are:

Paul Wilkingon Lifetime Achievement Award: Tonda L. Parks, Dover

Individual winners

New Castle County

Chrissy Montgomery, Wilmington, Arts & Culture

Joan Sharp, Wilmington, Community Service

Donald Schaeffer, Wilmington, Community Service

Jeanne Kasey, Wilmington, Education

Ali McDonough, Wilmington, Health

Nancy Goyda, Wilmington, Human Needs

James A. Hunter, Wilmington, Human Needs

Rosemary Kingery, Hockessin, Human Needs

Karyn Wilson, New Castle, Human Needs

Kent County

Judy Saladino, Dover, Health

Sussex County

David Christy, Lewes, Arts & Culture

Dara Hearn, Lewes, Education

Sallie Forman, Rehoboth Beach, Environment

Dianne Twining, Laurel, Environment

Marie McIntosh, Frankford, Human Needs

Pat Short, Lewes, Human Needs

Group winners

New Castle County

DBCC's Great Stuff Savvy Resale Volunteer Team, Community Service

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Community Service

Beth and Brian Engler, Education

Department of Health and Social Services-Garden Projects for People with Physical and/or Mental Disabilities, Environment

Secret Garden Volunteers, Environment

The Alternatives to Violence Project, Social Justice/Advocacy

Kent County

Advance through Pardons and Expungements, National Service

Sussex County

Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Community Service

The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute Volunteers (MERR), Environment

Nanticoke Creekwatchers, Environment

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Family Services Committee, Human Needs

St. Phillips Youth Host Group, Human Needs

Delaware SPCA, Sussex Chapter Volunteers, Other - Animal Welfare

Statewide

Reading Assist Institute Volunteer Tutors, Education.

The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony starting at 7 p.m. This event is open to the public and tickets are $35 per person. To purchase tickets call (302) 857-5006 or visit www.volunteerdelaware.org