(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced a national call for nominations for the 2005 Spirit of Service Awards, which pay tribute to outstanding participants in each of the Corporation’s programs - Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America.

The awards will be presented to the winners during a special ceremony at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, August 4-6, in Washington D.C.

"National service participants change the communities they serve in and our nation as a whole. We want to hear the most compelling stories our projects can provide about how Senior Corps volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and Learn and Serve America participants raised the bar for what service can accomplish,” said Corporation CEO David Eisner. “We intend to recognize these heroes and shine a national spotlight upon them.”

Nominees must exemplify the spirit of national service, demonstrate exceptional service or leadership, and serve as role models for others in their community. Awards recipients will be selected from the following categories:

• Senior Corps: RSVP or Special Volunteer Program, Senior Companion, and Foster Grandparent;

• AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps (State and National, Tribes, Territories, Education Award programs); AmeriCorps*NCCC, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and an AmeriCorps alum; and

• Learn and Serve America: Student, Educator, and Service-Learning Program.

Nominations are easy to make. Visit www.nationalservice.gov/spiritofservice for nomination guidelines and to apply online. To request a hard copy of the nomination guidelines, call (202) 606-5000 ext. 282. The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm Monday, May 2, 2005. Nominations can be emailed to spiritofserviceawards@cns.gov or faxed to 202-565-2824.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.

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