Past Recipients
of the First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award
2025
Elaine Bakk, Nikiski
Adrianne Coffey, Nenana
Amber Douglas, Nikiski
Dale Ebcas, Kalskag
Norman “Koolie” Heyano, Dillingham
Ash-Lee Waddell, Homer
2024
Lynda Chud, Wasilla
Christine Greco, Palmer
Emily Machos, Fairbanks
Katherine Mead, Cordova
Andrea McCormick, Anchorage
Margaret Varlamos, Anchorage
Bristy Larsen, Dillingham
2023
Cindy Harris, Soldotna
Mindy Eggleston, Delta Junction
Shawn Olsen, Kodiak
James Akeralrea, Scammon Bay
Monte Pearson, Fairbanks
Teffonie Wyman, North Pole
Carol Fraser, Anchorage
2022
Carla Demit, Northway
Sharon Stevens-Ganser, Seward
Charlene Tautfest, Soldotna
Kathy Gensel, Soldotna
Mary McDowell and Gordon Williams, Juneau
Timothy Gjertson, Anchorage
Gary Olson, Anchorage
2021
Nona Safra, Anchor Point
Billie Kassel, Fairbanks
Anna DeVolld, Soldotna
John Green, Wasilla
Amie Haakenson, Anchorage
Rachel Sallaffie, Bethel
Carl Schrader, Juneau
2020
All Alaskan volunteers were recognized for their selfless COVID-19 pandemic response efforts
2019
Cindy Glassmaker, Kenai
Sarah Mullen, Eagle River
Rachel Olson, Palmer
Jon Cochrane, Bethel
Blaze Bell, Anchorage
Posie Boggs, Anchorage
2018
Ethel Thomas, Anchorage
Michael Carson, Palmer
Audrey Saganna, Fairbanks
Jennifer Waller, Soldotna
Don Gotschall, Juneau
Chuck Mitman, Haines
Kara Nelson, Juneau
Margaret Griffo and Waverly, Anchorage
John Dapcevich, Juneau
Doreen Hodges, Valdez
Caroline Wolf, Fairbanks
Carlee Rizzo, Kenai
Peggy Hovik, Ketchikan
2017
Robert “Bob” Morris, Anchorage
Joel Buchanan, Coffman Cove
Erick Mountain, Nulato
Bob “Ziggy” Szewe June Degnan, Juneau
Clarke Brown, Anchorage
Michelle Overstreet, Wasilla
Shirley Springer Staten, Anchorage
Dan Rodgers, Anchorage
Bobbi Anne Barnowsky, Old Harbor
2016
Linda Gilson, Ketchikan
David Musgrave, Palmer
Mark Stigar, Palmer
Trevor Storrs, Anchorage
Jamie Marunde, Northway
Michele Stuart Morgan, Douglas
Sheila Barrett, Anchorage
Kathy Lopeman, Ninilchik
Nicholes Hanson, Unalakleet
Mark Ahsoak, Jr., Barrow
Amelia McAlpin, Ketchikan
Denny Mehner, Fairbanks
Tessa Salazar, Ketchikan
2015
Anna Tadgue Frank, Fairbanks
Diane Peterson, Anchorage
Lani Strong Hotch, Klukwan
Scott Fergusson, Auke Bay
Pamela Orme, Anchorage
Julie Robinson and David Nielson, Anchorage
2014
Donene Amodo, Village of Akhiok
Phillip Ball, Eagle River
Robert “Beau” Bassett, Anchorage
Darrel Hess, Anchorage
Erin “Rinny” Heywood, Juneau
Bellanira “Deya” Imdieke, Dillingham
2013
Earline Smith, Juneau
Steve Fishback, Anchorage
Patricia Myers, Fairbanks
William Gaines, Anchorage
Dr. Robyn Rehmann, Anchorage
Richard Groff, Cordova
2012
Jim Cedeno
Tracy Golly
Marvin Hadenfeldt
Teisha Simmons
2011
Heidi Haas, Fairbanks
Debby L. Hudson, Anchorage
Brianna Jeffers, Nenana
Bobbie McCreary, Ketchikan
2010
LEAD Program, Anchorage
Mother Alice Lawrence, Anchorage
Barbara Coopes, Anchorage
Charity Lee, Sitka
Alexis Cobb, Anchorage
David C. Eastman Jr., Wasilla
Suellyn Wright Novak, Eagle River
Claudette Curtis, Douglas
Eugina Risdal, Anchorage
Larry Porter, Kenai
Joerene Hout, Anchorage
Mari Jo Parks, Palmer, Volunteer of the Year Life Time Achievement Award
