OLYMPIA – Next week, First Gentleman Mike Gregoire will help celebrate the second nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week by serving alongside AmeriCorps members sponsored by the Blue Mountain Action Council in Walla Walla, Washington.

“We are grateful for the AmeriCorps members who are getting things done in our state,” said Governor Chris Gregoire as she proclaimed May 11-18 AmeriCorps Week in Washington state. “AmeriCorps members have made a significant impact on our ability to address unmet needs, and AmeriCorps Week is a perfect opportunity to recognize their contributions.”

The First Gentleman, or "First Mike" as he prefers to be called, will begin the day at Blue Ridge Elementary School where he will read “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” to third grade students. As an advocate for children's and family literacy, First Mike travels across the state to talk about the importance of reading with your children and how strong reading skills prepare young people for academic success and lifelong love of learning.

Gregoire will then join the fifth grade classroom of Mr. Corey Hobbs, a former AmeriCorps member, where he will assist AmeriCorps members with the students’ civic engagement assignment and compete in a Jeopardy-type game to test students’ civic mindedness.

The First Gentleman and six AmeriCorps members will serve at the local food bank where they will sort large commodities of food collected by U.S. postal workers the preceding Saturday as part of their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

On behalf of the governor, First Mike will present a partnership appreciation award to the Blue Mountain Action Council for its long-term support of AmeriCorps and using service and volunteerism as strategies to address critical community needs.

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps provides opportunities for 75,000 Americans to give back to their communities through service. In Washington, there are national service opportunities for more than 1,000 individuals to serve in all four corners of the state from Clark County to Ferry County and Clallam County to Walla Walla County and virtually every county in between. To learn more about AmeriCorps, visit http://www.ofm.wa.gov/servewa or call (360) 902-0656.

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