Two Mary Greeley Medical Center volunteers received a Governor’s Volunteer Award in June.

Gov. Chet Culver recognized Clete Mercier and Bert Schroeder, both Ames residents, in a ceremony held July 16 in Ankeny.

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards program has been active since 1982, and serves to honor volunteers from all Iowa nonprofit, charitable and government organizations.

Volunteers are nominated for awards in different categories: individual, group, length of service or disaster. Mercier and Schroeder both earned the individual length of service volunteer award.

Mercier and Schroeder were honored by the Senior Health Insurance Information Program for five years as counselors. SHIIP is a free service provided by the state of Iowa that helps Iowans learn about Medicare and other health coverage. SHIIP counselors offer one-on-one training and help people make the right decisions regarding health care.

This year 800 volunteers were honored with awards. Iowa volunteers contribute so many hours they save the economy more than $1 billion, according to the “Volunteering in America” study by the Corporation for National and Community Service released June 15.

“The devotion of these volunteers has helped Iowa achieve the second highest state volunteer rate in the country,” Culver said in a news release. “Lt. Gov. [Patty] Judge, the first lady and I are honored to have this opportunity to personally thank this year’s award recipients for donating their time, dedication and talent to make a tremendous difference in our state.”

To learn more about volunteering in Iowa, visit www.volunteeriowa.org or call 515-725-3094.