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.

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in
2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our
communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council 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, encourages a sustained commitment
to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved
acertain standard – measured by the number of hours of service 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 80 Leadership Organizations
and more than 28,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards
to the Nation's deserving volunteers.