RENO/LAS VEGAS — The AmeriCorps National Service Programs in Nevada are being saluted, by proclamation of Governor Brian Sandoval, during AmeriCorps Week, May 14 through 21, 2011. In conjunction with AmeriCorps Week, Nevada Volunteers, the state commission on national and community service, is recognizing five national service participants for their exemplary service to Nevada. Two of the honorees are from Las Vegas and will be presented with their awards during the National 9/11 Flag Tour Ceremony on May 12, 2011 in Las Vegas. This ceremony, of particular significance at this moment in time, will bring together local service heroes from the public sector and the military to add a stitch to the National 9/11 Flag that will hang in the museum at Ground Zero.

“We are thrilled to be able to honor these two outstanding national service members,” said Shawn Lecker-Pomaville, CEO of Nevada Volunteers. “Their contribution to the Las Vegas community is inspiring and we are proud of their dedication and commitment to serve.”

Nevada’s AmeriCorps programs enlisted 3,784 Nevadans this year to give back to their community through intensive service programs with 430 nonprofit, governmental, educational, and faith-based organizations statewide. Two of those members in the Las Vegas area have risen to an extraordinary level of service and have been picked as Nevada National Service Award Honorees.

Don Edwards is the 2011 Nevada Senior Corps/RSVP Participant of the Year. For nine years, he has devoted himself to connecting with and encouraging homebound seniors and disabled individuals through regular phone calls. Despite being homebound himself, Don reaches out to inspire others, making 220 calls each month. He serves through the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada’s RSVP Telephone Reassurance Program.

Jessica Perlick is the 2011 Southern Nevada AmeriCorps Member of the Year. Jessica runs five separate programs in the Pro Bono Project of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Her savvy people skills bring in the volunteers—attorneys who help low income individuals in need of legal services. Despite their busy schedules, Jessica’s reminders, thank you notes, and great organizational skills keep them coming back. She helped to match 602 pro bono clients with volunteer attorneys in 2010.

The recognition of their service will take place on Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 12 pm to 3 pm at the historic Fifth Street School Auditorium at 401 S. Fourth Street in Las Vegas during the National 9/11 Flag Tour Ceremony. For information on all the 2011 Nevada National Service Award Recipients please see the attached list. Photos of Jessica Perlick, Don Edwards, and Governor Sandoval (working alongside AmeriCorps members), plus the Governor’s proclamation, are attached as well.

About Nevada Volunteers

Nevada Volunteers, formerly known as Nevada Commission for National and Community Service, creates countless opportunities for individuals, organizations, and businesses across Nevada to engage in volunteering and shape a culture of service and citizenship. Nevada Volunteers is the Governor's Commission that administers AmeriCorps programs statewide, sponsors the annual Points of Light Awards, and promotes volunteerism. Since 1998, over 2,028 AmeriCorps members have served through Nevada Volunteers, providing 1,499,563 hours of service to northern, southern and rural communities. Those members were awarded approximately $4 million in higher education awards, recruited 30,720 additional volunteers who donated 242,008 hours of volunteer service valued at $4,773,289.