Step Up!, a community volunteer network organization for the Grand Strand area, has teamed with the South Carolina Governor’s Office and the South Carolina Association for Volunteer Administration to announce the 2006 Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. Governor Mark Sanford will announce the awards at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 28 in the auditorium of the South Carolina Statehouse.

Nominations can be made in eight categories, including Community Leader Volunteer, Direct Service Volunteer, Volunteer Group, Youth Individual Volunteer, Volunteer Family, Workplace Agency/Association, Legacy Volunteer and Volunteer Administration. Nominations are due by Friday, March 31.

Step Up! was created in 2005 to mobilize the citizens of Horry County and the broader coastal community to meet critical needs through volunteer civic service and community projects, thereby increasing civic engagement. Step Up! is funded through a multi-year grant from the Knight Foundation in cooperation with Coastal Carolina University.

For more information on the application process or to become a volunteer, call Step Up! at (843) 349-6488.