Angela An awarded for helping citizens abroad and at home during Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

Washington, D.C. – In a White House ceremony this Thursday, Ms. Angela Haeree An will be awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award, recognizing her for over 4,000 hours of volunteer service. Angela’s spirit of volunteerism began with her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria.

Upon receiving this honor, An said, “Peace Corps transforms lives forever. Service in the Peace Corps changes Volunteers’ outlook on life - we become driven to help people and desire to make an impact. We also begin to look at volunteering from multiple perspectives – one of those is how we continue to help others after serving.”

An is a proud member of the Asian Pacific community, being of South Korean descent. As Peace Corps celebrates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May, we recognize contributions of Asian/Pacific American Volunteers such as Angela, who exemplify this month’s national theme of “Pursuing Excellence Through Leadership.” Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter said of An, “I’m thrilled to honor one of our Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with this prestigious service award. Angela served others for two years in Bulgaria and continues to serve every weekend here in Washington, D.C.”

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service. He called on each person to answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility. The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

An served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Secondary Education in Bulgaria (2004 to 2006) where she taught English and Information Technologies to students aged 12-18 in a remote mountain town. Currently living in Washington D.C., Angela now volunteers each weekend at an assisted living home.

An dedicates herself to the needs of her community. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, she was an effective teacher while implementing many other successful community-based projects including: creating a bilingual cookbook focusing on local cuisine and history; assisting with a local eco-tourism project; organizing a breast cancer awareness seminar; arranging holiday celebrations to share her American culture with her community; and coordinating leadership camps for young women.

Since 1961, more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers including Asian/Pacific Americans have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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