Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Presents President's Volunteer Service Awards to Local Volunteers in Support of United We Serve Initiative

Contact: Chawn Greene-Farmer

Public Relations Director

(517) 335-7875 - office

greenefarmerc@michigan.gov

Clawson, Michigan - Virgie Rollins, Special Projects Manager of Governor's Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives, 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 Special Projects Manager Virgie Rollins.  Michigan's nonprofit organizations are facing increased demands for services, and volunteers of all faiths 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." 

Rollins visited Heritage Church of Christ, Clawson, to support the South Oakland Shelter's program to feed homeless families and recognize its interfaith diversity in aiding those in need.  During the visit, Rollins recognized Dominic Pollino and Jamie Glandt, two South Oakland Shelter volunteers for their countless hours of service in providing meals and other necessities for area homeless families. 

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 - leads the effort.  August 31 through September 6 has been designated as Interfaith Service Week to honor the service efforts conducted through faith-based organizations working across religious lines to strengthen our communities.

"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 President's Volunteer 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 Award recognizes 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 28,000 Organizations to 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.

The South Oakland Shelter of Royal Oak is a nonprofit organization that provides a rotating emergency shelter program for homeless men, women, and children.  It was created in 1985 by a group of seven churches located in southern Oakland County - services today are provided by 67 Christian and Jewish congregations.  South Oakland Shelter's ( SOS) mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing temporary shelter and supportive programs to help individuals and families live independently.