On April 28, 2011, Governor Bob McDonnell presented Jessica S. and Raymond F. Burmester with the 2011 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award, in the family category, for their many years of exceptional service to Virginians with disabilities in the areas of mental health, intellectual disability, and substance abuse.
Raymond Burmester is a former co-chair of the Coalition for Virginians with Mental Disabilities. Since the early 1980's the Burmesters have been central figures in the advocacy community. Between the two of them, they have contributed nearly 45 years of unpaid advocacy work. Mr. Burmester continues to serve on the Virginia Disability Commission and the ARC of Virginia, where he was president from 1995-1998. Mrs. Burmester currently serves the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and the ARC of Virginia.
