This award is presented to jurisdictions with "give back" programs, such as providing backpack supplies for returning veterans, food drives, gifts for children, adoption of military families, etc.

This is an agency award. Every agency will receive recognition for submitting a program (at their respective regional conference) and one jurisdiction agency will receive an international award for overall outstanding program.

Each agency may submit only ONE community service program.

Criteria for selection:

• Project/program serves the community
• Level of employee and target audience engagement or participation
• Measurable outcomes, ie., amount of food, money, etc. donated or numbers of families or individuals impacted

International and Region 2 Recognition

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW)

The Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) program continues to make a significant impact in communities by participating in events and directly serving communities with events specific to the homeless, seniors, veterans, and private partners. This engagement not only adds convenience but also allows us to directly engage with individuals throughout the community. The FLOW team collaborates with government sponsored events and works closely with state and local officials to plan events to help alleviate congestion at local field offices. Between September 2023 and October 2024, the program assisted more than 6,979 Floridians.   

Region 1 Recognitions

Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles

CANgineering

Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles participated in a CANgineering competition hosted by the Food Bank of Delaware. The Division competed against their parent agency, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and twenty-six other businesses throughout the state. The Food Bank of Delaware’s CANgineering competition required all entrants to build an impressive structure of their choice with one twist, they had to be constructed from non-perishable food items. The Division was able to reach the designed goal and gathered 563 pounds of food that was able to provide 676 meals to people in need.  

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Fill a Bus

Each year in December, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the MBTA hosts a toy drive called “Fill A Bus.”  The goal is to Fill a Bus with new, unwrapped toys for children during the Holidays.  In December of 2023, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, a division within MassDOT, saw record number of donated gifts from the Registry of Motor Vehicles’ employees, customers, and business partners. The bus is an MBTA bus that travels across the state to designated pick up locations to gather the toys and then distribute the toys. 

Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles

RIDMV's Lifeline: Community Partnership

RIDMV partnered with the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) to host quarterly Blood Mobile Blood Drives, giving employees, customers, and community members the opportunity to save lives in a very convenient way. These drives are more than a scheduled event they’re a chance for the RIDMV family to come together for a purpose bigger than themselves. Whether donating blood or spreading the word, RIDMV employees take pride in knowing their efforts directly impact patients and families in Rhode Island. The program took on new urgency in the spring/summer of this year, when a national and local blood shortage created a critical emergency. The RIDMV quickly volunteered to organize an extra drive in addition to its regular schedule, showing just how dedicated the agency and its employees are to answering the call for help.  

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec 

Transport of Organ and Tissue Donations

In March 2023, at the request of employees of Contrôle routier Québec (CRQ) who wanted to get involved in a cause, the Société de l’assurance automobile (SAAQ) began administrative steps to participate in the transportation of organ and tissue donations as well as medical teams. A request was made to the Canadian Organ and Tissue Donation Association (COTDA) and Transplant Québec to serve the greater Québec City area. These transports are carried out by representatives of various law enforcement agencies in the province, but CRQ was not yet part of it. The goal is to allow volunteer commercial vehicle enforcement officer to participate in the life-saving chain represented by the cause of organ and tissue donations. At the end of August 2023, partnership agreements were signed, and the vehicle was ready for the first transports. 

Region 2 Recognitions

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

DSMV: The Ultimate Joy of Rescue

For the last several years, DSMV employees have been making donations to the Barkin’ Barn Thrift Store in Searcy, AR, to rescue the little furry friends. All proceeds go directly to the care, treatment, placement and upkeep of the animals at the Humane Society of Searcy (HSS), whose primary goal was the establishment of a local animal shelter. This support is essential in helping the sick, injured or orphaned animals, while advocating for the most stringent needs of the community. Joining forces with the Barkin’ Barn store and with the dedicated animal lovers, DSMV employees contribute to the rescue of the lost and abandoned animals of Searcy and to their return to their rightful owners. 

Georgia Department of Driver Services

Reading is Fundamental

A group of DDS Customer Service Centers (CSCs) supported Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones as he hosted his first-ever book drive in support of the Georgia Council on Literacy. With help from DDS, the Lt. Governor’s Office was able to collect and donate over 2,000 books to the Georgia Council on Literacy. 

Louisiana State Police

LSP Partners with Community to Donate Child Safety Seats

Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force showed up to promote child safety in the vehicle during National Child Passenger Safety Week. Every region within Louisiana held a child seat fitting station, where child safety seats were provided to families that could not afford them. Each child was properly fitted for a seat based on age, weight, height, and fit in the vehicle. 181 car seats were provided to families, and they now have the peace of mind that their child is safe in the vehicle 

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

Clothing Drive for HBCU Closet

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) Vehicle Services Section recently held a successful clothing drive in support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in an effort to stock the HBCU Closet ran by the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Office of HBCU Outreach. The initiative aimed to provide professional attire to students preparing for internships, job interviews, and other career opportunities, ensuring they have the resources they need to excel as emerging leaders. The drive was met with overwhelming community support, with donations pouring in from NCDMV employees who were eager to contribute to the future success of HBCU students. This effort not only highlighted the generosity of the NCDMV community but also reinforced the importance between public agencies and educational institutions.    

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

SCDMV Tropical Storm Helene Response

Tropical Storm Helene left devastating effects across the Southeast. South Carolina suffered the tragic loss of almost 50 lives, with many more families sustaining damage to their homes due to the storm that swept across the state. Employees took part in the state’s “Team South Carolina” events, which brought assistance directly to those who needed it. SCDMV staff members left their usual offices behind to help citizens connect with the assistance they needed, serving as greeters and guides at these special events, often scheduled just a few days in advance. The events, seven in all, were a chance for residents in each county to connect with numerous helpful state and federal agencies under one roof in their community.

Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

2023 Christmas Toy Drive

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security staff donated hundreds unwrapped toys and designed for children 12 and younger during their 2023 Annual Holiday Breakfast. The toys were collected to support the Metro Nashville Police Department’s annual Christmas Basket Program, which collect toys and other items for families in need of assistance during the holidays. After the staff holiday breakfast, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security continued to collect toys before the Tennessee Highway Patrol delivered several vehicles full of toys to the collection site. Troopers then assisted with the basket distribution, delivering toys and groceries to families in need on Christmas Eve. 

Texas Department of Public Safety

Community Outreach

The Texas Department of Public Safety has worked with several organizations to help serve often underrepresented and underserved communities in obtaining identification. Through these partnerships with Police Agencies,  the Department of Family Protective Services, the city Controller’s office, and the Texas Legislature, the Driver License Division has successfully implemented programs that assist homeless individuals, foster youth, and disadvantaged students in obtaining essential identifications. As the Division continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to finding innovative solutions to address the unique needs of vulnerable populations and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Region 3 Recognitions

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Indy East BMV Community Service Programs

The Indiana BMV Indy – East Team, led by the branch manager, Chequrita “CC” Booker-Howard, has been supporting elementary schools of the Warren Township School District. In the past year alone, they have supported with school supplies and backpacks. The ongoing support has culminated this year in CC having been honored as a guest speaker at the annual Warren Township School District Community Support Dinner. 

Iowa Department of Transportation

Pathway to Empowerment: Bridging the ID Gap for Des Moines Vulnerable Communities

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) partnered with the City of Des Moines Public Library to provide identification cards and driver’s licenses to at-risk community members, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Many of these individuals face significant barriers to obtaining IDs, such as lack of transportation, funding, or essential documentation. Without government-issued ID, they are unable to access critical services, including voting, employment, housing, and healthcare. This initiative aimed to break down those barriers and offer a path to self-sufficiency. 

Kansas Division of Vehicles

Kansas Homeless Outreach Program

Early in 2024, the newly founded Homeless Outreach Team conducted an Integrated Outreach event that KDOR Mobile Unit had the honor of participating in. This event brought multiple local agencies to a single site to render services and ease the barriers and gaps for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. The event was held in Lawrence, Kansas. The location where the event was held allowed great visibility from those citizens that were the focus of this event. During this time, the mobile team processed customers to obtain New KS IDs, replace lost KS IDs and driver’s licenses. The driver solutions mobile member was able to assist customers with information on how to get their driver’s license back if suspended or any other issues they may have had restricting them from gaining a proper Kansas credential. On this date the mobile unit not only was able to process and assist these citizens, but they were also able to make a positive impact in their lives and possibly help them to take the first step in improving their current situation. Mobile DMV processed and created 21 state IDs on this date. Following the first event, the team had an overwhelmingly positive response from the agencies and the local unsheltered neighbors that attended, and scheduled another event with the same organization to take place later in 2024. Other counties have heard about the success and have reached out to gain information and potentially join forces to expand the program.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services

Reintegration License

The Reintegration Driver’s License Program, administered by Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), exemplifies innovation and social responsibility in addressing the critical barriers faced by individuals reentering society after incarceration. This program not only supports the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals but also benefits the broader Minnesota community by promoting public safety, reducing recidivism, and fostering economic stability.  The Reintegration Driver’s License Program provides a temporary driver’s license to individuals who were previously incarcerated and whose licenses were suspended or revoked due to unpaid fines or minor traffic violations committed prior to their incarceration. This program, which was implemented by DVS, recognizes the unique challenges of reentering society and removes one of the most significant obstacles to employment, housing, and family reunification: the inability to drive.     

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

Cancer Outreach Saves Lives

The North Omaha Driver License Office and its dedicated examiners had a unique opportunity this past year to serve the community in an unexpected way for a Department of Motor Vehicles. Located in an area with a population at higher-than-average risk for colon cancer, the office became a hub for raising awareness about this critical health issue. Informational pamphlets were distributed, prompting 400 individuals to request test kits. As a result, six people received early diagnoses that led to life-saving medical interventions. 

Region 4 Recognitions

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division

MVD Community Connections Gives Back

MVD Community Connections exemplifies how local government agencies can foster meaningful change through targeted engagement and public service. Addressing specific needs such as water donations, school supply drives, and holiday support the program strengthens the communities they serve and ensures that Arizona’s most vulnerable residents receive vital assistance throughout the year. With employees deeply involved in these initiatives, MVD Community Connections is a testament to the power of service—and a shining example of how small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact. 

California Department of Motor Vehicles

Clothing Drive and Job Application Classes for Women's Empowerment

Members of the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Women’s Affinity Group (Women@DMV) volunteered their time, outside of work hours, to give back to the community and uplift their sisters in need. The aim of Women@DMV’s effort was to give economically disadvantaged and unhoused women the tools they need to re-enter the workforce and regain their independence. The effort had a two-prong approach – a clothing drive focused on professional attire worthy of interviews and a workshop about how to prepare for and obtain state employment. 

Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles

Teddy Bear Patrol Donation Drive

The Teddy Bear Patrol is a yearly donation drive that collects new stuffed animals for first responders and emergency teams across the state. First responders use the donations to comfort children during emergencies, such as automobile wrecks or house fires.  

Government of Alberta

Free Identification Card to Houseless Albertans

To address escalating violence in homeless encampments and better serve the needs of the homeless population, the Government ordered the creation and opening of Alberta’s first Navigation and Support Centre in Edmonton. The Centre provides support to Alberta’s most vulnerable to obtain valid Alberta identification at no-cost and to also connect them with services relating to income support, shelter and housing options, health care, mental health resources, and addiction treatment. The centres are designed as a “one-stop shop” reception centre and works through a triage system to support displaced Albertans. 

Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles

Dual Tire Scales Training

The Idaho Port of Entry is an education-first entity within the DMV of the Idaho Transportation Department. They help carriers and government agencies to teach proper weight distribution, load securement, and safety requirements. In the last year, the POE has conducted outreach to 37 companies and government agencies. The goal of these interactions is to give back to the industry, help build trust and help improve the safely of all travelers on the Idaho roadways. 

Washington State Patrol

Thanksgiving Fest Celebrationand Fundraiser

The Washington State Patrol's (WSP) Property Management Division held its 50th Thanksgiving Day Fest Celebration and Fundraiser in 2023. This year, the team organized another successful turkey feast, with 145 WSP employees in attendance. The event not only brought people together across the agency but also significantly impacted the local community, raising $1,475 for the St. Peters Hospital Pediatric Section and donating 125 pounds of food to the Thurston County Food Bank.