Greene County sheriff Jack Williams was honored during the 2024 Governor’s Volunteer Awards June 25 at Ankeny High School, where Gov. Kim Reynolds recognized individuals and groups during the special ceremony.
“Those being recognized are the people who invest in others without expecting anything in return – except, of course, for the fulfillment that comes from doing their part to give back to their community,” said Gov. Reynolds. “This collective impact is nothing short of remarkable.” (Williams, center, is pictured with Lt Gov Adam Gregg and Gov Reynolds)
More than 400 awards were presented this year. It is estimated that over 85 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees.
Williams has been a member of the volunteer Jefferson fire department since 2004 and has been chief since 2016. He is on the Greene County Fair board and takes the lead on community projects focusing on youth, including Shop-With-a-Cop every December.
Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, a program within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS), the Governor’s Volunteer Award program, which is now in its 40th year, provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.
Nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities (city, county, state and federal) may recommend an individual volunteer or group of volunteers who directly assisted the organization with a project, event, or activity.
Nominations are accepted in the following categories: Individual Governor’s Volunteer Award: one person providing outstanding volunteer service; Individual Length of Service Award: one person who has served multiple years. Awarded for increments of five years, e.g., 5, 10, 15, etc.; Group Governor’s Volunteer Award: two or more people who volunteer together as a team; Group Length of Service Award (groups who have served multiple years. Awarded for increments of five years, e.g., 5, 10, 15, etc.
Recipients are not required to live in Iowa but their service must have benefited an Iowa organization or community. Those previously honored with an Individual Award should not receive another but may be selected once every five years for a Length of Service Award.
