FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Elise Mannella
April 23, 2008 732-247-3727
United Way of Central Jersey Honors Middlesex County &
Franklin Twp, Somerset County Residents during
National Volunteer Week, April 27th to May 3rd
Milltown NJ—United Way of Central Jersey will honor 40 volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award during National Volunteer Week at a ceremony on Tuesday April 29th from 6-8 pm at Middlesex County College in Edison NJ. These volunteers share their time and talents to make a difference in our community and are truly living up to the week’s theme—“Inspire By Example!”
Sponsored by Target, and an initiative of United Way, Points of Light & Hands On Network, National Volunteer Week sets the stage for local and national organizations to applaud their volunteers’ contributions and encourage others to help strengthen their communities.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the most prestigious volunteer award currently associated with the White House. Issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States, it also seeks to inspire by example, honoring the service of committed volunteers and sharing their achievements to encourage more Americans to volunteer.
“This week we are celebrating the achievements of our local President’s Volunteer Service Award recipients,” said Gloria Aftanski, CEO of United Way of Central Jersey. “Their commitment is a shining example to all of us.”
“Our volunteers are the backbone of our community, meeting critical needs and helping to improve the quality of life all over Middlesex County and Franklin Township NJ,” said Aftanski of United Way of Central Jersey. “With volunteer service in America slightly declining last year, it is vital that we honor the contributions of our local volunteers.”
According to Bureau of Labor statistics’ latest study on volunteers, about 60.8 million Americans volunteered their time—nearly 26 percent of the population (down from 28.2 percent the previous year). It is estimated that 67% of all Americans volunteer, however, many people do not count activities related to immediate family needs as volunteering—this includes PTA activities, girl or boy scouting, church-related activities, driving a neighbor to the doctor etc.
A recent study, “2007 Central New Jersey Regional Social Capital Benchmark Survey,” conducted by the Bloustein Center for Survey Research at Rutgers University surveyed about 2500 people in Central Jersey and found that Central Jerseyans have fewer constraints (eg score higher than the national average) in terms of education and income and are no busier than others, yet score only average in rates of civic engagement and volunteerism. The findings will be used to promote public-private partnerships that spur economic advantages for the area and boost social capital.
National Volunteer Week began in 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting the week.
“We hope that National Volunteer Week and the President’s Volunteer Service Award will inspire others to participate in volunteer activities,” concluded Gloria Aftanski, CEO of United Way of Central Jersey. Call 732-247-3727 or visit www.uwcj.org to learn more about local volunteer opportunities.
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United Way of Central Jersey works to advance the common good of residents in Middlesex county and Franklin Township, Somerset county by focusing on education, income and health. We do this by:
- Initiating programs that develop community change strategies to target a pressing issues within our impact areas that affect community systems, organizations, neighborhoods, personal networks, families and individuals.
- Funding agencies engaged in collaborations and partnerships with other organizations in efforts to identify and solve the most pressing and critical issues and problemsin our service area.
- Supporting evidence-based and/or nationally recognized best practices that meet (or are clearly striving to meet) comprehensive and rigorous standards of quality service.
- Requiring programs have a clearly articulated evaluation plan which details how measurable outcomes are achieved, e.g. careful analysis should demonstrate effective approaches to improving lives.
Points of Light & Hands On Network is a national nonprofit whose core mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world. Our vision is that through our work we will help put people at the center of social change and that one day every person will discover their power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant democracies around the world.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an initiative of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service and USA Freedom Corps, and is administered by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. Visit www.PresidentialServiceAward.gov or call 1-866-545-5307 for more information on the Award.
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