|
By: Kathryn A. Forbes, National Chair of Volunteers
Dear Volunteer Director:
Once again, you have the opportunity to gain statewide or even national recognition for American Red Cross youth volunteers in your unit who have demonstrated outstanding volunteer community service—by participating in the 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
Last year, 37 Red Cross units selected honorees in this prestigious youth recognition program, and 61 Red Cross youth volunteers across the country received state-level awards for their volunteer service activities. Two of them were among the program's 102 State Honorees for 2006, and one was among the 10 National Honorees. This kind of recognition from a prestigious, independent awards program celebrates the efforts of our individual youth volunteers and showcases the work of your organization. I hope you will take part.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes individuals in grades 5-12 solely on the basis of their volunteer activities. Young volunteers can apply through their middle and high schools, Red Cross units, and other officially-designated local organizations.
This year's application period runs through October, so please don't delay. Make your young volunteers aware of this opportunity today, and encourage those who qualify to complete an application by October 31, 2006.
Your Red Cross unit can select one middle school Local Honoree for every 1,000 members (or portion thereof) in grades 5-8 and one high school Local Honoree for every 1,000 members in grades 9-12. Once you have selected your Local Honorees, you must submit their applications by November 7, 2006 to a state-level judging committee, which will pick the top youth volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia. All of these state-level honorees will receive special recognition, and the top high school and middle school level volunteers in each state and the District of Columbia will receive silver medallions, $1,000 awards, and a trip to the nation's capital for several days of national recognition events.
In Washington, DC, a national selection committee will name America's 10 youth volunteers for 2007. Each will win an additional $5,000 grant, a gold medallion, crystal trophy, and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for a charitable organization of his or her choice.
I have seen the power this program has to reward and inspire young people, as well as the value of Red Cross participation. We can applaud the terrific work of young Red Cross volunteers and highlight the emphasis that we all place on community involvement.
Thank you for your help with this important and unique youth recognition program.
Sincerely,
Kathryn A. Forbes
National Chair of Volunteers
For more information about the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, including this year's application form, information flyers and press releases, please visit www.prudential.com/spirit.
| 
