Dear Partners and Friends, 

I hope you and your families are doing well. Over the past few months, the team at Volunteer Florida has continued “getting things done” for Florida.

Florida Volunteer Month

In celebration of Volunteer Month this past April, we proudly recognized and honored the exceptional contributions of volunteers across our state. Their selfless dedication has significantly impacted our communities, inspiring others to get involved. We encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of volunteerism and make a difference in your communities!

Take Stock in Children Podcast

In April, I had the honor of participating in Take Stock in Children’s special episode of the Mentors & Milestones Podcast, which was dedicated to Volunteer Month. We discussed the profound importance of volunteerism and how, through collaborations with the private sector, community engagement can deeply impact both volunteers and the individuals they support.

2024 National Service Member of the Year

On behalf of Volunteer Florida, I was proud to honor Metropolitan Ministries AmeriCorps member Bryant Cornwell with the 2023-2024 Member of the Year Award! Metropolitan Ministries staff member, Jesse Hinnant, received the award on Bryant’s behalf. Bryant’s passion for service and his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others shine through his remarkable work with Metropolitan Ministries. Congratulations!

Best and Brightest Ceremony

In May, I had the honor to present the Excellence in Volunteerism Award to a student at the annual Best and Brightest Awards Ceremony. The Best and Brightest Awards is designed to recognize and honor Leon County’s excelling high school seniors. The varying categories of the Best and Brightest Awards allow students who excel in a particular field to be rewarded for their hard work and dedication.

This year’s recipient was given to Helen Conn, a senior at Leon High School. Helen was the first Junior at Leon High School to hold the prestigious position of Executive Director of Dance Marathon, not just for one year but two consecutive years. Under her leadership, Leon High School became the second-highest-fundraising high school in the nation, setting a new school record with an astounding $175,000 raised! Her leadership extends beyond academics and sports. She plays several key roles in service organizations within her school. Her involvement demonstrates her passion for making a positive impact in her community. She is an inspiration for volunteerism and civic responsibility.

Congratulations, Helen, and to all the other students recognized for their dedication and service!

Women in Business Summit
I recently participated in the 12th Annual Women in Business Summit, presented by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The event featured a panel discussion with influential state leaders, industry experts, and other Florida professionals to celebrate the achievements of women in business. It looked ahead to the growth of Florida businesses in critical industries.
Beautification Service Project with Brooksville Main Street Program

I participated in the semi-annual Beautify Brooksville service project, where I worked with volunteers to help preserve Brooksville’s historic downtown and revitalize the community. Activities included removing weeds, planting new plants, picking up trash, pressure washing, and painting sidewalks.

Brooksville Main Street is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share a commitment to creating high-quality places and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

CEO‘S LEADERSHIP TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


PHOTO: CEO Tamayo participated in the tenth annual Orange Park Kids Fest with the Guardian ad Litem Fourth Judicial Circuit, commemorating Child Abuse Prevention Month. Volunteer Florida had the opportunity to set up a display among the other vendors and sponsors.


PHOTO:  CEO Tamayo served food and distributed supplies through the Hope Florida program to Woodville residents who were impacted by the tornadoes in May.


PHOTO: CEO Tamayo presented the Volunteer Florida Excellence in Volunteerism Award to Chan Perry in Mayo, FL. Chan was honored for his extraordinary contributions and unwavering dedication to his community’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia.


CEO Tamayo took part in the sixth annual Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony in honor of Volunteer Month as we celebrated the invaluable contributions and impacts that volunteers make in our communities.

Thank you for your continued support of Volunteer Florida and our mission to #ServeFL. If there is anything we can do for you, or your organization, please reach out to me or my team.

Yours in Service,

Josefina Tamayo Chief Executive OfficerVolunteer Florida