Some residents of Guthrie County are receiving the Governor Volunteer Award today in Ankeny.

Cathy Ballard of Guthrie Center and Paula Wachholtz of Panora have both been recognized as 2024 recipients of the award, with this year’s ceremony being held at 2pm today at Ankeny high School. Ballard and Wachholtz are two of over 270 individuals that are awardees for 2024, with over 400 total awards going out for groups and individuals.

Volunteer Iowa, a program from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, has been conducting the Governor’s Volunteer Award program for 40 years. This provides an easy way for nonprofits, charitable organizations and government entities in Iowa to recognize their volunteers with a state-level award. Volunteer Iowa estimates that over 85 communities were served by the 2024 honorees.