Volunteer Recognition
Every two years, AmeriCorps conducts the most robust longitudinal survey about volunteerism and other forms of civic engagement in the United States in partnership with the US Census Bureau. In Virginia, the most recent survey shows that more than 2.2 million Virginians formally volunteer each year and 3.8 million Virginians help their neighbors informally! More than 156 million hours of service happen in Virginia communities each year.
Volunteers make our lives better through increasing access to healthy food, building and maintaining parks and green spaces, spending time tutoring and mentoring—just to illustrate some of their impact! All together, this creates more than $5.2 billion in estimated economic impact.
Is there a volunteer in your life that you want to recognize? Someone known throughout your community for always being willing to show up and lend a hand? There are great ways to recognize and honor their service and commitment to helping others.
Virginia Recognition
For general requests and information about Serve Virginia awards, please contact VirginiaServiceInfo@dss.virginia.gov
The Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Awards recognize Virginians who serve across the Commonwealth. Individuals, groups, and organizations invest their time and talent in helping others and creating pos...
The bi-annual Serve Virginia Honor Roll celebrates the valuable contributions of volunteers and organizations across the Commonwealth. In recognition of the service provided by over 2.2 million Virginians, the Serve V...
AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors members serving in Virginia who have performed outstanding service to their communities are honored annually through this recognition program. Honorees will be celebrated during the v...
Regional & National Recognition
Local Awards Programs
Stories of Service
Virginians are making a real difference in their communities by volunteering their time and talents. Every day, we hear remarkable stories about how our volunteers have helped those around them. Know someone who is always helping others? We’d love to hear their story.
Nethan Reddy
Story of Service: Nethan Reddy
Nethan Reddy recently completed his year-long term of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) as a Substance Use Abatement VISTA. In this role, he was tasked with working on and implementing programs and policies that deal with substance use, especially as it impacts families. Nethan reflects, “I still remember, the position description said that the North Star of the position was to work towards ‘keeping families together’ and I thought that was a good thing to do. From a clinical perspective, it is clear that disordered substance use can do a number on...
Camp Holiday Trails Med Team
Story of Service: Camp Holiday Trails Med Team
Camp Holiday Trails (CHT) is a nonprofit camp located in Charlottesville, Virginia, dedicated to creating an empowering camp experience for children and teens with medical needs. Since its founding in 1974, CHT has relied on the exceptional contributions of volunteers to fulfill its mission. Central to this mission is the volunteer Medical Team, known at Camp as the "Med Team"—a group of physicians, nurses, students, and other healthcare professionals who provide expert care in a dynamic and inclusive camp environment. In summer 2024 alone, 68 medical volunteers donated their time and expertise, contributing to the safety and well-being of campers...
Shannon Britt
Story of Service: Shannon Britt
Shannon Britt served as a college adviser at Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia, as part of the Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC), an AmeriCorps program. She found out about AmeriCorps when she was in high school, where she was served by a VCAC adviser. She recalls, "The 2017-2018 school year was our first year having a college adviser. During my fourth year of college at the University of Virginia, I heard someone speak to our Intro to Counseling class in the education school about the program. I was interested in paying forward the great advising I received in high school...
Rosalie Chisolm
Story of Service: Rosalie Chisolm
Rosalie Chisolm joined AmeriCorps because she wanted to help underserved communities through meaningful service. She recalls, "I knew that in this work I would be able to directly see the impact that I was making on a daily basis and know that my service is meaningful and useful. This opportunity has allowed me to explore career paths, and has also developed my personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery." Though she originally wanted to serve in the Peace Corps, Rosalie found an AmeriCorps position at her university's career fair and decided to apply. She recalls, "When I found out that there was...
Acadia Czeizinger
Story of Service: Acadia Czeizinger
Acadia Czeizinger became an AmeriCorps member in August 2023 through an opportunity to serve in the Virginia College Advising Corps. She recalls, "I had just graduated from Hollins University less than a year prior, and I was already feeling restless working part-time at a local bookstore. I wanted to do something different; something that would allow me both serve my community and allow me to gain experience as a young professional." At that point, the job market was recovering from the pandemic and Acadia was struggling to find a rewarding position that would allow her to remain within her rural...
Youth Education Program, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Story of Service: Youth Education Program, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
2024 Governor's Volunteerism & Community Service Award honoree the Youth Education Program (YEP) is a Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia team of certified Extension Master Gardeners that provides hands-on youth gardening education at local schools and youth organizations. With a focus on sustainable practices, YEP’s 10-15 members collectively worked approximately 1,400 hours in the past year and served nearly 20 different youth organizations, including elementary schools in Alexandria and Arlington, the local Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. YEP members empower kids, caregivers, and teachers to practice sustainable gardening through fun activities related...
What’s Your Volunteer Personality?
Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.
