Tacoma Community College yesterday announced it has awarded 17 volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.
Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the Award program, Tacoma Community College confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.
Tacoma Community College has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 300 students perform community service each year on behalf of the organization. More than 250 students have participated in service learning as part of a course at Tacoma Community College, serving more than 8,000 hours in the Tacoma-Pierce County area. Additionally, it has more than 30 students working on Students in Service AmeriCorps contracts, who have already served
“In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps, and called on every American to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service,” said Kari Twogood, Academic Advisor, of Tacoma Community College. “The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals and families who have answered that call. America’s volunteers work to make our communities stronger and safer. As a Certifying Organization for the Award program, Tacoma Community College is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our students who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an award for volunteer service that every American — from every age and every walk of life — can aspire to achieve. To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating Certifying Organizations, such as TacomaCommunity College,that will verify the service and deliver the Award. Award eligibility for individuals and groups is based on hour requirements varying by age.
“These recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award are role models for all Americans,” Kari said. “Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others, and I encourage everyone to contribute to our community by volunteering. Volunteers bring us closer together as families, as communities and as a Nation, through their commitment.”
The Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.
For more information about how to qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit http://www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.