Two Gardiner organizations were presented with Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism recently by first lady Ann LePage for making a significant difference in the quality of life for Maine residents.

Gardiner Federal Credit Union received the Small Business Volunteerism Award for supporting its local community by working with elementary school students to develop money management skills. Through its partnership with Laura E. Richards School, the credit union is establishing savings accounts for students, and its employees are teaching kindergartners and first-graders why it is important to save money.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gardiner received the Outstanding Non-Profit Volunteer Program Award for its Keystone Club, which tries to foster positive peer interactions, encourage good citizenship and give youth a voice. The participants are required to join at least one major volunteer effort and one fundraising activity each month. Last summer, the students worked with the city to study the walkability of Gardiner and presented their findings to the City Council.