LINCOLN — Nearly a dozen volunteers from across Nebraska, including one state lawmaker, will be honored in October for their volunteer work “to make our communities better.”

Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday announced the 2023 Step Forward Award honorees and invited all Nebraskans to thank and celebrate the volunteers at an Oct 6 ceremony at 11 a.m. in Lincoln.

“Volunteers are a vital part of keeping Nebraska communities strong,” Pillen said in a statement. “I’m proud to be Governor of a state where community service is central to our culture.”

ServeNebraska, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission, supports community involvement and coordinates AmeriCorps funding and programming, National Volunteer Week and the annual Step Forward Awards.

More information about each award recipient can be found here. Those wishing to attend the awards ceremony should visit serve.nebraska.gov and register before Sept. 15.

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Step Forward Awards Honorees

The following is a list of 2023 award honorees. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Award will receive special recognition at the October ceremony.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Marah Shai of Gering for a “life full of public service.” Now 94 years old, Shai served in the Peace Corps in the Andes Mountains. Her volunteer service has included St. Thomas Orphanage, a radio station in Alaska, her local church and more than a decade at the Scotts Bluff County Volunteer Center.

Jamesena Moore Making a Difference Award

State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, chair of the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee and a member of the Appropriations Committee, will be honored for his support of ServeNebraska “by introducing legislation to safeguard Nebraska’s commitment to service.”

Jamesena Moore, for whom the latter award is named, is the current president of the History Nebraska Board of Trustees and was a founding commissioner of ServeNebraska. The award was created in 2019 as part of ServeNebraska’s 25th anniversary.

Adult Volunteer

Beverly Hansen of Bertrand for her work in rallying groups to open a child care facility at the local church.

Youth Volunteer Leadership

Mattie Kucera of Raymond is the current president of her school’s student council for keeping students engaged and leading them through multiple service projects.

Veteran Volunteer

Dennis Hynes of Bellevue, a U.S. Air Force veteran, for volunteering with the Durham Museum for almost a decade, leading tours and teaching students.

Senior Volunteer

Rolaine Blaser of Columbus for her service as a court-appointed special advocate for over 22 years and with the Center for Survivors for more than 20 years.

National Service

Robert and Helen Arnold of Crawford for their work as AmeriCorps senior volunteers and with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Disaster Volunteer

Roger Peek of Omaha, for his 30 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department and membership with the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Team.

Two Awards Are Designated For Corporate Community Volunteers

Small Business: Uniti Med in Omaha, whose Community Outreach Program helps employees give back and engage with the community.

Large Business: Thrasher Foundation Repair in Papillion, which gives back annually through many partnerships such as building maintenance at the Humane Society or raising money for school supplies.