2010 WINNERS OF THE VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK CONTEST!

$300 GRAND PRIZE Volunteer Contest Winner



Gulfside Regional Hospice, New Port Richey, FL - Because 600 volunteers throughout Pasco County are the “heartbeat of hospice,” Gulfside Regional Hospice (GRH) has an extensive volunteer recognition program. Volunteers enjoy a discount at the organization’s thrift shops. Photographs of volunteer activities are displayed in the administration building and are featured on the Web site. Annually, a “volunteer of the year” is chosen, and an appreciation banquet recognizes outstanding volunteer service. Additionally in 2010, a ceremony marked the official proclamation of National Volunteer Week by the mayors of cities within Pasco County. Posters were hung in the visitor lobby. GRH held two picnics, complete with fun games, good food, and numerous prize drawings. Volunteers posed for group photos and were given prints. They also received goody bags and lapel pins ordered from Positive Promotions. During the celebration week, GRH employees wore “We Love Our Volunteers” stickers.



$200 Second Prize Volunteer Contest Winner



The Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, VA - Each department of the museum sponsored a day of National Volunteer Week. Sunday, the volunteer office held an “Our Volunteers Rock” event with food corresponding to rock and roll songs, which were played in the background. Monday, the administrators supplied a continental breakfast. The front desk/visitor services department created an indoor picnic on Tuesday. The development department said “Our Volunteers Mean The World To Us” with globes and a variety of food on Wednesday. The education department organized games for Thursday and had a cake that looked like a crossword puzzle spelling out “We Are Nuts About You.” On Friday, the maintenance staff brought in pizza and soda. The curatorial department designed appreciation signs featuring photos of the animals on exhibit at the museum and provided sweets on Saturday. All volunteers were presented with Positive Promotions mini carryalls. Also, awards were given out in various categories, such as “most likely to be seen smiling.”



$100 Third Prize Volunteer Contest Winner



Guam Memorial Hospital Volunteers Association, Hagatna, GU - The volunteer association announced National Volunteer week with emails and Positive Promotions posters, then hosted several activities. Approximately 400 guests attended a ball in support of the hospital. In honor of volunteers, a special mass was held in the hospital chapel. A 1950s-themed luncheon told volunteers they rock, and “Volunteers Rock” lapel pins from Positive Promotions carried out the theme. The association named a “volunteer of the year” who was presented with a plaque, a pin, and a check. Volunteers with enough hours donated received U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Guest speakers conducted presentations about the value of volunteerism and about stress-reduction techniques. Volunteers got to let loose by using the “Let’s Dance” game on a Wii system. The week ended with a second mass.



Honorable Mention



Golden Visitors Center, Golden, CO The Golden Visitors Center organized special outings for its volunteers. To emphasize building a better world through environmental means, volunteers attended an energy efficiency expo. They also toured a wind farm and an Xcel Energy plant that is converting generators from coal to natural gas. To let volunteers know how sweet they are, they were treated to a tour of the Hammond’s Candies factory. They also had lunch at a local diner and played bingo at a McDonald’s.