President's Volunteer Service Award


About the Award

Background

America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a Nation.

President's Council Logo

In his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush issued a challenge to all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities, and Nation through service. He called on each person to dedicate at least 4,000 hours – or two years – to service over the course of their lives. He created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans answer his call to service and help foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility.

In 2003, President Bush created the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our Nation. The Council brings together leaders from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, education, government, nonprofits, and the media.

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service to others. It encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation and inspires others to make volunteering a central part of their lives. The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes 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.

To date, the President's Council has partnered with more than 76 Leadership Organizations and more than 14,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow more than 400,000 awards to the Nation's deserving volunteers.


The Award
The Award

Depending on which award package is ordered, award recipients can receive:

  • An official President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin
  • A personalized certificate of achievement
  • A congratulatory letter from the President of the United States
  • A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation

Award Criteria

Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned over a 12-month period or over the course of a lifetime at home or abroad. The following are the eligibility requirements for each age group:

Picture of Bronze President's Volunteer Service Award Pin
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria

Bronze Level

Kids: 50 to 74 hours
Young Adults: 100 to 174 hours
Adults: 100 to 249 hours
Family & Groups: 200 to 499 hours

Picture of Silver President's Volunteer Service Award Pin
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria

Silver Level.

Kids: 75 to 99 hours
Young Adults: 175 to 249 hours
Adults: 250 to 499 hours
Family & Groups: 500 to 999 hours

Picture of Gold President's Volunteer Service Award Pin
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria

Gold Level.

Kids: 100 hours or more
Young Adults: 250 hours or more
Adults: 500 hours or more
Family & Groups: 1000 hours or more

President’s Call to Service Award
Picture of Blue  President's Volunteer Service Award Pin
Presidential Volunteer Service Award Criteria

All Ages
4,000 hours or more of volunteer service (over a lifetime).

Personalized Certificate
Photo of Personalized Certificate
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© 2006 President's Volunteer Service Award