Engaging and supporting people who inspire, equip and mobilize others to take action that changes the world.

2014 Awards 


FAVRM is honored to recognize the 2014 award winners. Presented in Tallahassee on November 13, 2014 the awards honored outstanding volunteer managers and programs throughout the state in the following categories:

Outstanding Volunteer Administrator Award

This award was established to honor a Volunteer Administrator in Florida, who has demonstrated innovative leadership which reflects the high ideals of the profession and whose efforts allow volunteers to produce significant achievements.

Kristina DaSilva, Director of Marketing & Development, HandsOn Broward

Kristina has been with Hands on Broward for 7 years. Her responsibilities include all media/marketing relations and development activities. She has been an active member of FAVRM for 5 years, serving on FAVRM Board as Marketing and Committee Chair for 2 years. 


Innovative Program Award

This award was established to honor the outstanding achievements of a local volunteer program in their creation and implementation of a program/service, which utilizes volunteers to creatively serve both their agency and their community. 

Skills-Based Volunteer Program, BEST Volunteers Program, United Way HandsOn Suncoast

United Way HandsOn Suncoast partnered with TransAmerica HR department, Military Veterans Warrior Mentorship Program, Tampa Bay Lightning and BayPines VA to implement an innovative program for the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. Designed to engage employees to volunteers this program provided workshops strictly catering to our veterans that assist in job readiness training.  As well as rehabilitating veteran resident located at Bay Pines VA and physical makeover (eg. Sidewalk, plumbing, electrical, painting, building a playground, landscaping to reading to children).  

This program funded by Tampa Bay Lightning, and VGF –BEST Program generated: 93 service events, 110,000 volunteer hours, engaging more than 13,850 employees and served over 65,000 children!


Betty Tribble Excellence in Volunteer Management Award

This award was established to honor an administrator of a volunteer program in Florida, whose work and achievements serve as touchstones of integrity, service and professionalism, and who, by example, reflects the highest and best ideals in all aspects of volunteer management, and whose work inspires volunteers and peers to effect change through service. The award was named in honor of Betty Tribble, an icon of service in Florida, and founder of the Florida Association of Volunteer Centers as a lasting legacy of recognition for a lifetime of achievement and service.

The Board of FAVRM is proud to announce that the 2014 Betty Tribble Excellence in Volunteer Management Award is presented to Jeri Bush, Director of Volunteer Leon in Tallahassee, Florida.

Jeri Bush’s Accomplishments

  • VolunteerLEON started in 1991 by Leon County Board of County Commissioners
  • Created Leon County Government centralized volunteer program that supports mission critical work  at ever level in Leon County
  • Disaster Volunteer Reception Coordination- initial concept for VRC in 1994 in response to Tropical Storms, partnering with the American Red Cross deploying 2,000 volunteers across the Panhandle from Tallahassee
  • Deployed to assist with volunteer coordination, in 1994 California Northridge Earthquakes, Oklahoma Tornadoes, 9/11 New York City
  • Served on the National Association of Counties creating the first ever Volunteers in Government Toolbox as a content expert and manual editor
  • Founded Directors Volunteers of Association -1994
  • Leon County first County Government to create Disaster Leave Law, making it possible for county employees to be trained in disaster response  & volunteer in Florida for up to 2 weeks through the American Red Cross
  •  First County Government in Florida to create Leon County Employee Volunteer Program
  • Started a service learning based Leon County Youth Corp earning the Tallahassee Democrats Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Created Big Bend Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)- Comprised of 70 organizations from all sectors. Strengthening Leon County’s disaster response and recovery efforts.

“If you want to get something accomplished…then find Jeri Bush.  If you want to work with someone who knows about building relationships and developing partnerships…then find Jeri Bush.  If you want to work with someone who has passion and excitement no matter the task…then find Jeri Bush.  These are just a few of the things I’ve learned about Jeri while working with her during the past ten years."

Tom Linley, former Chief of Staff and Director of Emergency Management, Volunteer Florida

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