President's Volunteer Service Awards Now Available for 2009 Service Hours
Citizen Corps is excited to announce that President Barack Obama is now authorizing the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA) for 2009 service hours. The PVSA is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. The Award is given to individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours served over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
Citizen Corps, a partner of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and a National Leadership Organization in the PVSA program, authorizes PVSAs for deserving volunteers who donate their time and skills to help make our communities and nation safer and more resilient to all-hazards and emergencies. In an effort to honor these individuals across the nation, the National Office of Citizen Corps is providing 8,000 PVSAs free of charge to Citizen Corps Councils and program partners, including Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), USA On Watch/ Neighborhood Watch (NWP), and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS).
In its capacity as a National Leadership Organization in the PVSA program, the National Office of Citizen Corps has pre-registered many local, tribal, and state/territory Citizen Corps Councils and local program partners as official Certifying Organizations for the PVSA. As a Certifying Organization, Councils and program partners are approved to review and verify a volunteer’s hours, and to nominate and distribute the PVSA. Award packages may include a congratulatory letter from President Obama, a personalized certificate of achievement (with customized logo depending on affiliation) and a pin. Please note that although the 8,000 awards are free of charge, Councils and program partners may be responsible for shipping and handling costs.
To learn more about the PVSAs, Citizen Corps Certifying Organizations, and how volunteers can use the PVSA website to track their service hours, visit: http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/citizencorps.