Three ECSU students receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award

Kesha Williams
January 21, 2009

I Have A Dream Foundation-Richmond has collaborated with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national program recognizing Americans who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service. Three students from Elizabeth City State University received these awards: Angela Burke, a junior majoring in elementary education from Hampton, Va. Jasper Fleming, a senior majoring in sociology from Elizabeth City or Roanoke, Va. Alkeen Johnson, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice from Elizabeth City The students volunteered to mentor/tutor high school students from George Wythe High School (Richmond, Va.) Established in 2003, the award was created by President George W. Bush to give Presidential recognition to individuals, families and groups who meet requirements for volunteer service, measured by the number of service hours performed over 12-months. I Have A Dream Foundation-Richmond is one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the President’s Volunteer Service Award and honor the volunteers who strengthen our nation. As a certifying organization for the award, I Have A Dream Foundation-Richmond is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the AWARD. &quotWe are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award,&quot said Kenneth P. Henshaw, president. &quotI Have A Dream Foundation-Richmond volunteers are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a Nation. The AWARD is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.&quot &quotEven if you’ve never volunteered before, the President’s Volunteer Service Award is within your reach,&quot Kenneth P. Henshaw said. &quotThere are so many ways to contribute, and every volunteer hour makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others. We encourage everyone to get involved and to bring along your family, friends and neighbors. Together, we can strengthen America – one hour at a time.&quot The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened by President George W. Bush to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation among Americans. 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 is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering. For more information about volunteering wit I Have a Dream Foundation-Richmond, contact Ellie Gompert at egompert@ihadrichmond.org. For more information on the President’s Volunteer Service Award and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307. For more information, contact Kenneth P Henshaw, 252-338-6668. The press release appears courtesy of the I Have a Dream Foundation-Richmond. Press release appears in conjunction with the Have a Dream Foundation-Richmond.