Amy Bartoo of Coeur d’Alene went without a paycheck for the first 10 years in creating and nurturing Idaho Drug Free Youth. She wrote grants, asked merchants for donations and held fundraisers to start what is now a statewide program.

Her achievement gained her a 2010 Governor's Brightest Star award, one of 103 individuals, businesses and groups recognized for their outstanding volunteer efforts.

The search is on again for nominees for the 2011 Governor’s Brightest Star awards. Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 14, 2011. Nominations can be made online at  http://serveidaho.gov/events/governorsbrighteststars.aspx or by calling Serve Idaho at (208) 332-3578 or (800) 588-3334.

The awards recognize the state's unsung heroes, whose volunteerism positively impacts the quality of life within their communities.

Awards are presented in the categories of:

    * Individual

    * Student

    * School

    * Nonprofit Organization or Service Club

    * Small Business of fewer than 100 employees

    * Corporation of 100 or more employees

 Last year's recipients were recognized for everything from supporting families of deployed soldiers to promoting greater access to arts and sports programs, organizing events to address hunger in their communities, sprucing up campgrounds and maintaining trails and mentoring at-risk young people and families to break the cycle of poverty.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and first lady Lori Otter will honor Idaho's 2011 Brightest Stars during a ceremony in November at Boise State University’s Student Union ballroom.

Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state.  It administers Idaho’s national service program, AmeriCorps; provides technical assistance in volunteer management during times of disaster and celebrates the outstanding contributions of Idaho’s volunteers through the annual Governor’s Brightest Star awards program. The Serve Idaho commission is funded in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Idaho Department of Labor.