TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — During today’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman awarded Maxwell Ervanian with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to present Max with the Champion of Service Award today. He has made a significant impact in the Jacksonville community, serving some of our most vulnerable residents. I applaud Max for his civic engagement and applaud his continued efforts to improve the lives of individuals in his community through service and disaster relief volunteerism.”
Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman said, “It is an honor to recognize Max for his continued leadership and community service in Jacksonville. We are grateful for the countless hours he has spent helping children, families, and those with unique abilities in the Jacksonville community. We are proud of his innovative spirit!”
Champion of Service: Max Ervanian: Max is a 21 year-old honors undergraduate student at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, majoring in Special Education. For the past 10 years, Max has dedicated his time to the community through service and leadership. At age 11, Max organized a program to feed Christmas dinner to 150 homeless people in Jacksonville Beach. In high school, Max served as President of the Best Buddies club, which connects volunteers with people with unique abilities to form one-on-one, meaningful friendships. Currently, Max volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Best Buddies, the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the Arc Village for those with unique abilities, the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, and serves as Corps Second Lieutenant, Training Officer, and Medical Compliance Officer at the Jacksonville American Red Cross. Max is also a leader in many organizations on the UNF campus, including UNF Best Buddies, the UNF American Red Cross Club and the On-Campus Transition Program for young adults with unique abilities who are entering college.