re . . ke — a s C es eS —- = i; Lint (NAPSA)—More than 61 million Americans volunteered in 2006, according to a recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That represents over a quarter of the adult population. These volunteers provided billions of hours of valuable service to As Wd Giving Back To Volunteers hospitals, after-hour school proerams, parks andotherinstitutions. Now a program honors those who have given back so much to their communities. In fact, last year alone, thousands of volunteers were recognized for their outstanding service through the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA) program. For example, Richard Salo of Beverly, Mass., recently won the President’s Lifetime of Service Award, the highest level of the PVSA, with 18,500 hours of service to his credit. Salo has volunteered at the Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass., for more than a decade. Known by his colleagues as a dedicated andcar- ing individual, Salo credits his love for his community as his motivation. About The Award The program is administered by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Net- work, a nonprofit organization. To A national award honors Ameri- cans who havegiven back to the community. lic safety and emergency response. Organizations can participate and honor their volunteers by registering online to become a Certifying Organization. Certifying Organi- zations must confirm eligibility and distribute the Award directly to volunteers. All Award recipients receive a personalized certificate of achieve- ment, a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States and from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and an official President’s Award pin. Individuals, families and croups are eligible, and require- date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 71 Leadership Organizations and keep track of your volunteer volunteers. Rewarding Volunteers Volunteers earn the Award by completing a specific numberof hours in support of youth achieve- www.presidentialserviceawards.gov. The PVSAis an initiative of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National spaces, healthy communities, pub- USA Freedom Corps. more than 14,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow 522,293 awards on the nation’s deserving ment, education, parks and open ments vary by age and category. To learn more about the award, hours, become a Certifying Organization or find a volunteer activ- ity, call (866) 545-5307 or go to and Community Service and the
