MDCH Director Presents Presidential Volunteer Service Awards to Local Volunteers in Support of President Obama's United We Serve Initiative

Contact: Chawn Greene-Farmer
Public Relations Director
(517) 335-7875 - office
greenefarmerc@michigan.gov

Today, Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski is supporting United We Serve, a national effort launched by President Obama and supported by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and her cabinet to engage more Americans in serving their communities this summer. 

"In these tough economic times, we need more volunteers than ever," said Michigan Department of Community Health Director Olszewski.  " Michigan's nonprofit organizations are facing increased demands for services, and volunteers can help fill this growing need.  I am pleased to participate in United We Serve and thank the President for making this call to service. "

During her visit to Flint to commemorate Community Health Center Awareness Week, Director Olszewski, the keynote speaker at Hamilton Community Health Network's Legislative luncheon, presented a President's Volunteer Service Award to Lacie Regan, a staff member of Hamilton Community Health Network.  Regan, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life Planning Committee member, will be recognized for her outstanding contributions to support the Society's Relay for Life efforts. 

Director Olszewski also visited the Shelter of Flint and presented a President's Volunteer Service Award to Pamela Martin.  Pamela is a McLaren Health System staff member and long-time volunteer of the Shelter of Flint.  Over the years, Martin has worked diligently in supporting the homeless of Genesee County and raising funds for the Shelter.

"Extraordinary individuals like Lacie Regan and Pamela Martin deserve our heartfelt thanks for giving of themselves to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of families across Genesee County, " said Director Olszewski. "It is an honor to recognize them for their commitment to the greater good and making a difference in the lives of Michigan's citizens."

United We Serve kicked off on June 22 and runs through September 11, which will be marked for the first time as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  The initiative focuses on five key areas:  education, health, energy and the environment; community renewal and safety and security.  It is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that improves lives and strengthens communities through volunteering and service.  In Michigan, the Michigan Community Service Commission - which is chaired by First Gentleman Mulhern - will lead the effort. 

"This summer, I'm calling on all of you to make volunteerism and community service part of your daily life and the life of this nation," said President Obama. "Economic recovery is as much about what you're doing as what we're doing in Washington - and it's going to take all of us, working together."

For individuals or organizations interested in joining the United We Serve effort, the Corporation created www.serve.gov, a website that allows visitors to recruit volunteers by posting their organization's projects or get ideas for creating their own projects with friends, families, and neighbors.  For local and state volunteering opportunities and additional information on the Presidential Service Award program, individuals are also encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/volunteer.  Individuals who contribute at least 100 hours of service during the summer will be eligible to receive a President's Volunteer Service Award.  Additional information on this opportunity is available through www.michigan.gov/volunteer.

BACKGROUND

The President's Volunteer Service Awardrecognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain 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 Organizationsand more than 28,000 Certifying Organizationsto bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation's deserving volunteers.

The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism.  In 2009-2010, the MCSC is granting more than $7.7 million in federal and state funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities.  The MCSC is funding 19 AmeriCorps programs and 20 Learn and Serve programs.  The Governor's Service Awards, VIG and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.  The MCSC is housed in the Michigan Department of Human Services, whose mission is to assist children, families, and vulnerable adults to be safe, stable, and self-supporting.  The Corporation for National and Community Service grants federal funding that the MCSC administers to its programs.

Hamilton Community Health Network has provided community health care to the underserved of Genesee County and surrounding areas for more than 25 years.  Current services include medical and dental care, obstetrics and gynecology, podiatry and behavioral health.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

The Shelter of Flint has served as a community resource focusing on care and support for the homeless of Genesee County.