JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Lt. Governor David Wasinger announced nominations are now open for the 2026 Missouri Senior Service Awards, honoring Missouri seniors who helped build their communities and continue serving them through volunteerism, civic leadership, and selfless commitment to others.
The Senior Service Awards recognize Missouri residents 60 years of age and older who have made a meaningful and lasting impact through volunteer service. These awards celebrate a generation of Missourians whose work laid the foundation for strong towns, churches, schools, and civic institutions and who never stopped giving back after retirement.
“Missouri’s seniors built their communities and then kept showing up,” said Lieutenant Governor Wasinger. “They raised families, started businesses, served in uniform, volunteered in their churches, and stepped in when their neighbors needed help. Long after retirement, many of them are still serving, quietly and faithfully, without expecting recognition. These awards are about honoring that lifelong commitment.”
Across Missouri, senior citizens play a vital role in sustaining communities by mentoring young people, supporting food pantries, delivering meals, assisting veterans, volunteering in schools, and helping local nonprofits operate day after day. Their service strengthens civic life and passes down values of responsibility, generosity, and community pride to the next generation.
The Senior Service Awards seek to highlight those contributions and ensure that the service of older Missourians is recognized and celebrated statewide.
To be eligible for nomination, individuals must:
- Be 60 years of age or older
- Be a resident of Missouri
- Have demonstrated significant volunteer service that benefits their community
Nominations are open now and must be submitted by March 22, 2026. The nomination form and full details are available online at:
https://ltgov.mo.gov/senior-service-award-nominations/
Anyone may submit a nomination, including family members, friends, coworkers, faith leaders, or community organizations. Nominations should clearly describe the nominee’s service, leadership, and the positive impact they have made in their community.
Selected honorees will be recognized during a formal ceremony at the Missouri State Capitol later this year. Additional details regarding the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Missouri is a stronger state because of the generation that came before us,” Lieutenant Governor Wasinger said. “These seniors built something lasting, and they continue to invest in the places they call home. We owe them our thanks, our respect, and our recognition.”
Missourians are encouraged to take part in the nomination process and help ensure that deserving seniors from every corner of the state are honored