Carson City, Nev. - By Governor Jim Gibbons' decree, the week of May 11, 2008 is National AmeriCorps Week in Nevada. Each year commemorating National AmeriCorps Week, Nevada Volunteers honors the outstanding AmeriCorps members, Vista persons and Senior Corps participants that have served within the state of Nevada with a National Service Award. This annual celebration takes place this year at the Governor's Mansion in Carson City on Monday, May 12, 2008 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

First Lady Dawn Gibbons, along with commissioners in attendance, will present the awards to recipients. The award presentations take place inside the Governor's mansion in the two front reception halls and the event is then followed by a light lunch for the expected 70 attendees. Nevada Volunteers Commissioners Janice Ayres, Maria Arias and Phyllis Dryden are also expected to attend the event.

After 30 years leading the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Carson City, Ayres is also receiving an award for Senior Corps Supervisor of the Year.

"I began my involvement with RSVP in 1972 by writing the grant that led to bringing the first program to Nevada in 1973," Ayres reminisced recently. "That began me on the path to help shut-in seniors in our state live independently rather than being moved into institutionalized care. I feel the funds spent sponsoring our RSVP volunteers are multiplied in savings of tax dollars and improved quality of life by both the volunteer and the senior now able to live independently."

There are seven National Service Awards presented: AmeriCorps Member of the Year, AmeriCorps Program Director of the Year, VISTA person of the Year, VISTA Site Supervisor of the Year, Senior Corps Participant of the Year, Senior Corps Supervisor of the Year, and Learn & Serve Student of the Year.

There also will also be a special presentation to First Lady Dawn Gibbons for her service to Nevada for Nevada Volunteers. Gibbons says she enjoys bringing attention to worthy efforts in Nevada.

"I keep busy trying to make a difference for Nevadans," Gibbons said recently. "If I can help bring attention to our hard working volunteers, the Crystal Darkness program and increase awareness for the Autism Coalition, I feel that I help make a difference for Nevadans."

Bryan Guiot, director of Programs for Nevada Volunteers is excited about this year's awards. "This event is about recognizing excellence in national service in Nevada," Guiot said. "It is also Nevada's celebration of National AmeriCorps Week. Holding it at the Governor's mansion makes for a nice opportunity for our volunteers to meet with First Lady Dawn Gibbons, who is also our Honorary Chair of Nevada Volunteers."

About Nevada Volunteers

Nevada Volunteers creates countless opportunities to inspire, teach, train and recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses across Nevada to develop a legacy of service and citizenship. The Nevada Volunteers is the Governor's Commission that administers AmeriCorps programs statewide and hosts the annual Governor's Points of Light award. Since 1998, over 1,100 AmeriCorps members have served throughout Nevada recruiting more than 14,000 volunteers whodonated over 97,000 hours of service to local communities.

In September 2007, First Lady Dawn Gibbons was named the Honorary Chair of Nevada Volunteers and considers the commission one of her top priorities. The Website http://www.nevadavolunteers.org eventually will become a single source for Nevadans to go statewide for volunteering opportunities.

Those interested in determining how they can participate should subscribe for e-mail updates at the Nevada Volunteers website, http://www.nevadavolunteers.org.

About National AmeriCorps Week

May 11-18, 2008

AmeriCorps Week is a recruitment and recognition event designed to bring more Americans into service, salute AmeriCorps members and alums for their powerful impact, and thank the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.

AmeriCorps Week provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps members, alums, grantees, program partners, and friends to shine a spotlight on the work done by members in communities across the country-and to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

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