As announced in March 2023, The Gold Star Mission will be recognizing a Volunteer of the Year starting in 2024. The Gold Star Mission Volunteer of the Year Award is named in honor of retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Michael A. Nuding.
Although Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Nuding was only with Gold Star Mission for a short time, his volunteer spirit and leadership were noteworthy. Michael served in the United States Military for 40 years, in levels of command from platoon to brigade. He was a Citizen Soldier who served this great country not only for himself, but also in service to the Soldiers and their Families. Michael always put the welfare of his Soldiers first and ensured the command did as well!
Michael’s service didn’t stop with his Military Service. He was a civilian law enforcement officer, serving and protecting his community. Michael also remained active in his community, in various Veteran Organizations and his church. He was generous with his time and energy, never shying from helping others in need.
Michael volunteered to support the 2021 Gold Star 500, after a recent fight with cancer. He not only supported, but provided leadership and continually sought out ways to improve the event and provide better support to the participants, volunteers and attendees. During the 2022 Gold Star 500, Michael fought through illness as long as he could, always focusing on completing the mission. His mission first attitude made it difficult to step away, but that’s what he had to do. In spite of his personal health issues, Michael was still concerned about completing the mission and improving future Gold Star 500’s up until the end. Michael passed away shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 Gold Star 500. His smile, positive attitude, leadership and selfless service have left a mark on the Gold Star Mission and the many people involved!
It is for these reasons that the Gold Star Mission Board proudly named the Gold Star Mission Volunteer of the Year in honor of CSM Michael A. Nuding!
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The Volunteer of the Year Award allows the Gold Star Mission to recognize and celebrate a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in their volunteer service. The purpose of this award is to honor a volunteer whose dedicated service has had a significant impact on the agency that they serve and/or the community at large. The award is given to someone that has served in any way that has benefitted the organization.
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Award Criteria:
1) Strong volunteer characteristics that could include: dependability, flexibility, initiative, cooperation and positive interaction with others.
2) Going above and beyond to make a positive impact on the organization or the community at large.
3) Having a positive impact that could include: increasing the capacity of the organization, recruiting additional volunteers, raising funds, etc.
4) Volunteered and supported a Gold Star Mission activity or event between the period 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
5) Was not a member of the Gold Star Mission Leadership Team, including; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Operations Director, Assistant Operations Director, Social Media Director, or Website Engineer, during this period.
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Nomination Process:
1) Online only, submitted between 15 January 2024 and 28 February 2024.
2) Nominator can nominate one volunteer for this award.
3) Information required: Nominator name and contact information; name of volunteer being nominated; a narrative identifying the activities and actions that deem the volunteer worthy of recognition as Volunteer of the Year.
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The CSM M. A. Nuding Award will be presented by the Gold Star Mission Board and the Nuding Family during the Annual Scholarship and Appreciation Banquet on 23 March 2024 at the Northfield Inn and Conference Center in Springfield.
