TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Vivian Myrtetus awarded Maggie Barnick, Stephen Rocca, and Scott Lewis with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to recognize these dedicated volunteers with the Champion of Service Award today. These individuals represent the thousands of people who volunteered their time to help families following the recent hurricanes, and I’m grateful for their service.”
Volunteer Florida CEO Vivian Myrtetus said, “It is an honor to recognize these volunteers who have demonstrated a true commitment to volunteerism and service. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize them and the countless hours they’ve spent serving all over the State of Florida, as well as in other parts of the country following the recent hurricanes.”
About the Champion of Service Awardees:
Maggie Barnick (Saint Paul, MN)
Maggie Barnick serves as Branch Director of AmeriCorps-Disaster Response Teams operations in Southwest Florida and deployed to Lee County on September 19, 2017 in response to Hurricane Irma. Under Maggie’s leadership, the Southwest Florida Forward Operating Base has completed 232 damage assessments, cleared 5,009 cubic yards of debris, removed 129 hazard trees, provided temporary roof repair to 129 homes and conducted 424 wellness checks.
Stephen Rocca (Orlando, FL)
Stephen Rocca serves as a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services Volunteer and previously served as the Chair of the Orlando Area Command Advisory Board for the Salvation Army following the 2016 tragedy of the Pulse Shooting. He also worked alongside volunteers from Orlando in Houston for Hurricane Harvey response. During Hurricane Irma, Steve served communities in Orange County and Naples distributing hot meals and supplies.
Scott Lewis (West Palm Beach, FL)
Scott Lewis founded the Eagles Wings Foundation, a Florida-based non-profit post-disaster relief organization, in 1999. EWF has responded to devastating natural disasters worldwide, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. In response to Hurricane Irma, Scott and the EWF team deployed to the Florida Keys and worked with the American Aid Logistics Network to deliver three flatbed trucks of supplies to the community. The Eagles Wings Foundation also aided Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico to evacuate homebound survivors.
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Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state. Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.