ServMO held its 24th Annual Show Me Service Awards today at the Missouri State Capitol to recognize the impact of service and volunteerism throughout the state.

"Missouri is home to many extraordinary citizens who lend their time and talents to strengthen communities," said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. "The Show Me Service Awards are a way to express our gratitude for the inspiring efforts of volunteers who help their fellow Missourians prosper each and every day through selfless acts of service."

The Show Me Service Awards are divided into seven categories: AmeriCorps Member of the Year, AmeriCorps Senior Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Adult Volunteer of the Year, Senior Volunteer of the Year, Community of the Year, and Business of the Year. The John R. Albright Award will also be presented. Visit The Show Me Service Awards webpage to learn more about the categories.

"The Show Me Service Awards are an annual reminder to pause and recognize the Missourians who truly embody the power of service," said Brittany Crabtree, Executive Director of ServMO. "We are honored to present these impactful awards each year and hope they inspire others to get out into their communities and foster positive change."

The goal of the Show Me Service Awards is to highlight the service and volunteerism that Missourians provide to strengthen their communities and improve quality of life.

2026 Show Me Service Award Recipients

Youth Volunteer of the Year

• Tejveer Atwal - St. Louis

Adult Volunteer of the Year

• Tim Bach - North/Central
• Matthew Hakes - Kansas City
• John Boyd - South
• Shashikanth Gajaraj - St. Louis

Senior Volunteer of the Year

• Helen Crowder - North/Central
• Ted Tschirhart - Kansas City
• Patti Brayfield - South
• Velma Bailey - St. Louis

AmeriCorps Member of the Year

• Mandy Galli - Kansas City

AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer of the Year

• Peggy Hauser - Kansas City
• Garry Brown - South
• Betty Cotton Henderson - St. Louis

Business of the Year

• Mahmound Kouk & Brothers - St. Louis

Communities of the Year

• Dhvani Foundation - St. Louis
• Mexico Sustainability Project - North/Central

John R. Albright Award

• Debi Koelkebeck - South

*The award ceremony was livestreamed on ServMissouri's Facebook page and will be available for 30 days.

**To request an awardee's headshot, please email [email protected].

About ServMO

The Missouri Community Service Commission, a bipartisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, is now doing business as ServMO. Its mission is to strengthen Missouri communities through volunteerism and service. ServMO invests more than $10 million into Missouri communities annually.

For more information on ServMO, visit serv.mo.gov.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all background to serve their country, address the nation's most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. AmeriCorps members can serve in six key areas of their community - disaster services, education, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veteran and military families.

For more information on AmeriCorps, visit americorps.gov.

About the Missouri Department of Economic Development

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri's businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. As one team built around the customer and driven by data, DED aspires to be the best economic development department in the Midwest. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.

For the latest updates on DED's current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED's website.