Gov. Lynch partnered with VolunteerNH! to create the New Hampshire Volunteer of the Month awards. VolunteerNH! selects the honorees on a rotating basis by Executive Council district.

"New Hampshire's tradition of citizen involvement is one of our state's most cherished attributes. As Governor, I want to give those efforts more recognition - to encourage more people to get involved and to help preserve that tradition of civic engagement that makes New Hampshire so special," Gov. Lynch said.

Jackson was chosen for the award for her active involvement as a grief specialist with Hospice of the Lancaster Area (HOLA) where she helps people cope with personal losses and issues of death and dying. Jackson volunteers as a facilitator for two grief groups sponsored by the Hospice, donating more than 150 hours a year. She also meets weekly with teens at the North Country Shelter in Jefferson where she conducts a "Good Grief" group with young adults who are coping with loss.

Nominations for the monthly awards are currently being accepted and will continue to be accepted throughout the year. Nominees will be considered for the New Hampshire Volunteer of the Month Award and for a category award at the annual Spirit of New Hampshire Awards. Details and nomination materials are available on the Volunteer NH! website at www.volunteernh.org or by calling 1-800-780-8058.

A copy of the proclamation and a photo of the presentation are below.

Photo: Gov. John Lynch and Executive Councilor Ray Burton present Anne Jackson with the commendation naming her April's New Hampshire Volunteer of the Month.

State of New Hampshire
By His Excellency
John Lynch, Governor

A Commendation

ANNE JACKSON
APRIL VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson has demonstrated a great commitment to her fellow New Hampshire citizens through her active involvement as a grief specialist with the Hospice of the Lancaster Area; and

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson serves as a facilitator for two grief groups sponsored by Hospice, donating more than 150 hours a year to help people in her community cope with personal losses and issues of death and dying; and

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson meets weekly with teens at the North Country Shelter in Jefferson and conducts her " Good Grief " group with young adults who are coping with loss; an

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson's guidance and insight help make emotional and difficult circumstances easier to bear; and

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson is actively involved in various other community education programs, trainings and fundraisers; and

WHEREAS, Anne Jackson is a role model for all New Hampshire citizens for her exemplary service to her community and our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN H. LYNCH, GOVERNOR of the State of New Hampshire, and the Executive Council, in cooperation with Volunteer NH!, do hereby name Anne Jackson as the April Volunteer of the Month for her many contributions to her community and the citizens of our state.

Given this 5th day of April in the year of Our Lord two thousand and six, and the independence of the United States of America, two hundred and thirty.

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