U.S. Fund for UNICEF honors volunteers with President’s Volunteer Service Award
Award is a Prestigious National Honor for Volunteer Service
NEW YORK (April 20, 2010) — In conjunction with National Volunteer Week (April 18—April 24), the U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced it has awarded 128 volunteers with the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.
Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families—from every age and every walk of life—who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of certifying organizations participating in the Award program, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its more than 24,000 volunteers.
Volunteers receiving this year's award have distinguished themselves while involved in a variety of domestic engagement activities including: supporting the UNICEF Tap Project—a clean water campaign; raising awareness about issues impacting children through UNICEF's Campus Clubs and revitalizing the iconic Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign through their innovative fundraising efforts. The U.S. Fund's Award eligibility for individuals and groups is based on hours of service requirements varying by age.
"America's volunteers work to make our communities, both here and abroad, stronger and safer, and in this economic environment such dedication is truly admirable," said Caryl Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. " As a certifying organization for the Award program, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have committed to helping us reduce the number of daily, preventable child deaths from 24,000 to zero."
The Award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by former President George W. Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.
For more information about volunteering for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, visit www.unicefusa.org/volunteer or email volunteer@unicefusa.org.
About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.
UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org
For additional information, please contact:
Richard Alleyne, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9177, ralleyne@unicefusa.org
