National Volunteer Week Highlighted Presidential Award (NAPSA)—Volunteers make a difference. That was the message of National Volunteer Week, an annual time to recognize volunteers and the many ways they strengthen their communities. Across the country, volunteers were honored in awards and recognition ceremonies and many participated in community service SA Freedom Cor = oa events. In addition, those who have made a sustained commitment to service received presidential recognition through the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in the American spirit and encourageall Americans to make volunteering a central part of their lives. Volunteers earn the award by tracking and attaining a specified number of volunteer hours and submitting them through their volunteer organization. As America celebrated the contributions of volunteers, thousands of individuals, families, and organizations across the country received the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize their exemplary citizenship and commitment to volunteer service. “Volunteers meet urgent and everyday needs in our communities. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and deserve our praise,” said Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation. “Everyone can do something to volunteer and the President’s Volunteer Service Award is an honor that we can all aspire to achieve.” National Volunteer Week began in 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the Week as an @ Americans are encouraged to make volunteering a central part of their lives. annual celebration of volunteering. Every President since has signed a proclamation promoting the Week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected officials make public statements and sign proclamations in support of National Volunteer Week. President Bush created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to encourage increased service and civic participation and to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make across the nation. The Council’s mission is to foster a culture of service, citizenship and responsibility by encouraging volunteer service and civic participation by individuals, families and organizations. Council members represent leaders from government, business, entertainment, sports and community groups, who are committed to growing the spirit of service and civic participation in America. To find volunteer opportunities, visit www.usafreedomcorps.gov or www. l800VOLUNTEER.org. To find out more about the President’s Volunteer Service Award and how you can earn it, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.
