2011 Lt. Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet

Gail Miller to keynote event honoring 9 state and 25 county volunteer award winners

 

SALT LAKE CITY- Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and the Utah Commission on Volunteers will present nine State Volunteer Service Awards and celebrate twenty-five County Volunteer Silver Bowl Award recipients at the Lieutenant Governor’s Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet tonight at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center at 7pm. These awards, presented annually as part of the Lt. Governor’s Conference on Service, celebrate the extraordinary volunteer efforts of Utahns across the state.

The two most prestigious awards being the Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award and the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2011 Lt. Governor’s Civic Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Kelly Christensen, CEO and President of Iceberg Drive Inn. Kelly has met many needs in his community, whether through serving lunch to the hundreds volunteering during a fire in Herriman, working with the Special Olympics, co-chairing the Days of ’47 rodeo, or volunteering with student organizations in the Canyons and Jordan School District.

The 2011 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Marion Palmer, who is affectionately known as “The Queen of Pre-School Vision Screening.” For over 55 years she has donated her time to the nonprofit organization Friends for Sight as she screens young children for Amblyopia. She initiated the passage of a bill requiring children to have a vision screening when they enter school. 

 “These honorees are a powerful force for good in our communities,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission of Volunteers. “They are a shining example of the transformative power of service on those who serve and the communities around them.”

The Commission is pleased to announce that the banquet keynote speaker will be Gail Miller, wife of the late Larry H. Miller and owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. Gail will be addressing the importance of volunteerism in Utah as well as in her personal life.

Media are encouraged to attend tonight’s activities: Private reception for honorees at 6pm in the Trofi Room and the Banquet Program begins at 7pm in the Grand Ballroom.

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