Lt. Governor David Wasinger and ServMO Launch 'Civic Light Award' to…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 30, 2026

Lt. Governor David Wasinger and ServMO Launch "Civic Light Award" to Honor Missouri Youth Service

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger, in partnership with ServMO, is proud to announce the creation of the Lieutenant Governor's Civic Light Award. This prestigious honors program has been established to recognize Missouri students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service and civic engagement, measured by the number of hours served.

"The Civic Light Award is more than just a certificate; it is a recognition of the character and dedication of our state's future leaders," said Lieutenant Governor Wasinger. "We want to honor those who inspire others to shine through service and reinforce the values that make Missouri strong".

"Young people are doing amazing things across Missouri," said Brittany Crabtree, Executive Director of ServMO. "This award will celebrate them and hopefully inspire others to get more involved in their communities."

The Civic Light Award reinforces the administration's belief that strong communities are built through responsibility, compassion, and action. Designed to highlight the importance of youth engagement in civic life, the award celebrates students who contribute their time, talent, and leadership to improving the well-being of others across Missouri's urban and rural communities. This initiative not only honors individual achievement but also fosters a culture where youth engagement is central to civic life.

Eligibility and Guidelines: The Civic Light Award is open to students ages 13 to 24 who are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents. To qualify, applicants must complete unpaid acts of service benefiting others within a twelve-month period.

To ensure the integrity of the award, strict guidelines are in place regarding eligible activities. Acceptable service may be performed with a single organization or across various events. However, the program explicitly excludes court-ordered community service, proselytizing or religious teaching, political lobbying, and serving only immediate family members. Additionally, hours earned through national service programs that provide a stipend, such as AmeriCorps, do not count toward this specific honor.

Award Levels: Recognition is divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers based on the volunteers' ages and hours served:

• Ages 13-17:
  • Bronze: 10-24 hours
  • Silver: 25-99 hours
  • Gold: 100+ hours
• Ages 18-24:
  • Bronze: 25-99 hours
  • Silver: 100-249 hours
  • Gold: 250+ hours

Nomination Process: Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis via the ServMO website. Self-nominations are not permitted; a non-family member must submit the application, which includes a log of service hours and contact information for verification. Applications will undergo a quarterly review process by ServMO staff to verify hours and conduct due diligence. A ServMO Commissioner Review Committee, including representatives from the Lieutenant Governor's office, will finalize the list of awardees.

Recipients will receive a personalized certificate and a congratulatory letter from Lieutenant Governor Wasinger to commemorate their achievement.

For more information or to submit a nomination, please visit serv.mo.gov.

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 David Wasinger

David Wasinger serves as Missouri's 49th Lt. Governor. Wasinger is a lifelong Missourian, raised in Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Vanderbilt University School of Law, building a career as an attorney who stood up to powerful special interests and fought for justice for everyday Americans.

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Media Contact: Chris Walker
[email protected]
Office: (573) 751-4727

Office of Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger
Missouri State Capitol
201 Capitol Ave., Room 224
Jefferson City, MO 65101