AUGUSTA — Longtime Rumford Hospital volunteer Barbara Belanger was named the 2016 Volunteer of the Year at the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism awards ceremony.

The ceremony took place in the Hall of Flags at the State House. The award was presented by first lady Ann LePage.

The award recognizes an individual who has provided significant service to their community through volunteerism and serves as a role model to the people in their community.

Belanger has been a volunteer at Rumford Hospital for the past 42 years. She is an invaluable leader, friend and organizer of more than 75 hospital volunteers. Every year since 1974, she has served over 500 hours, for a total of more than 21,000 hours of service.

Belanger’s community impact through her volunteerism has been felt by generations of families at the hospital. She coordinates third-grade class visits, organizes blood drives and spends hours each year supporting the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing by hosting a beverage stand during the Dempsey Challenge.

Belanger works tirelessly to improve the volunteer experience at Rumford Hospital and to serve as an example of the impact one person can have through giving selflessly.

She was nominated for the award by Susan Hedrich, system director of Volunteer Services for Central Maine Healthcare.