U.S. Fund for UNICEF Honors Volunteers With PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In conjunction with National Volunteer Week (April 28th-May 2nd), the U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced it has awarded 89 volunteers -- the most ever -- with the PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Established in 2003, the AWARD is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the AWARD program, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 16,000 volunteers perform community service each year on behalf of the organization.

A few years ago, in an attempt to make a difference on a global level, Gigi Jordan and Alison Austin of New Hope, PA joined forces with a friend to create beaded jewelry and then donate all proceeds to UNICEF. The high school juniors, to date, have raised nearly $2000 for UNICEF's global programs that help save children's lives.

Slava Karaytcheva has assisted in the smooth operation of the Southwest Regional chapter of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF by aiding with major gift prospect research, event set-up, event registration, event follow up, communications with vendors and donors, data entry, filing, and various clerical duties as requested.

Over thirty awardees volunteer regularly at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF greeting card and gift shop in New York City. Some volunteers have been involved for more than 15 years.

For the past three years, 11-year-old Jasmine Fatourechi of southern California has gone into every classroom at her school to talk about the work UNICEF does. Jasmine's efforts have ensured that every child in her school is aware of the plight of millions of other children around the world.

Betsy Hosea is chair of the Georgia Federation of Women's Club (GFWC/GaFWC) United Nations. Betsy has steadfastly promoted UNICEF and its programming to club members and has contributed more than 650 hours this year alone.

"The PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD recognizes individuals and families who have answered the call for Americans to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service," said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "America's volunteers work to make our communities stronger and safer. As a Certifying Organization for the AWARD program, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who are committed to doing whatever it takes to save a child."

The PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD is an award for volunteer service that every American -- from every age and every walk of life -- can aspire to achieve. To be eligible to receive the AWARD, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating Certifying Organizations, such as the U.S. Fund for UNICEF that will verify the service and deliver the AWARD. AWARD eligibility for individuals and groups is based on hour requirements varying by age.

"These recipients of the PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD are role models for all Americans," said Kristi Burnham, Director, Community Partnerships, U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others, and I encourage everyone to contribute to our community by volunteering. Volunteers bring us closer together as families, as communities and as a nation, through their commitment."

The AWARD is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. 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 comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.

In conjunction with National Volunteer Week, officials with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF have also invited their volunteers to participate in "Unite for Child Survival Advocacy." This week-long initiative asks volunteers and supporters to become better acquainted with core child survival issues and engage in activities that raise awareness, such as hosting discussion groups and participating in targeted letter writing campaigns.

For more information about volunteering for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, visit http://www.unicefusa.org/volunteer or email [email protected].

About UNICEF

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit http://www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF