County Leaders Join Effort to Recognize National Service

 

 

Washington D.C. – County officials across the nation will participate in a national day of recognition on April 7, 2015, to highlight the impact of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps in their communities and thank individuals who serve.  

 

The County Day of Recognition for National Service is designed to spotlight the impact of national service programs, thank those who serve, and encourage citizens to give back to their communities. The initiative, part of National County Government Month, is being led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

 

“Every day, AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers are making a powerful difference in counties across the country,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase.  “Whether tutoring students, restoring parks, strengthening public safety, or supporting veterans and seniors, these dedicated citizens help to improve residents' quality of life.  We are pleased to support the County Day of Recognition for National Service and encourage county officials to participate in this initiative.” 

 

“County leaders work hard every day to get things done and respond to the needs of their constituents,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “They know first-hand the value of national service.  We are pleased to partner with county leaders to recognize the impact of national service and work to strengthen service efforts in their counties.”

Last year, a bipartisan group of 1,760 mayors and county leaders from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico participated in the second-annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. These leaders represent more than 110 million people, or one-third of all Americans.

 

As the federal agency for service and volunteering, CNCS annually engages more than 5 million citizens in service at 60,000 sites across the country through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs. 

 

CNCS leverages federal and private funds to support organizations that achieve measurable results where the need is greatest. Whether supporting food banks and homeless shelters, restoring parks, building homes, providing health services, strengthening public safety and juvenile justice services, tutoring and mentoring students, and managing community volunteers, national service members help county executives tackle tough problems.

 

Across the nation, county leaders and mayors will participate in a variety of activities, including visiting national service programs, hosting roundtables, issuing proclamations, and communicating about national service through social media.  By shining the spotlight on the impact of service and thanking those who serve, local officials hope to inspire more residents to get involved in their communities.  

 

For more information on the County Day of Recognition for National Service, visit www.nationalservice.gov/countiesforservice.