Virginia celebrated the fourth annual Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service in a big way on April 5! Mayors and county officials across the state shined a spotlight on the impact of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps and thanked those who serve. Your community leaders' participation highlights the importance of citizen engagement, recognizes the dedication of national service members, and inspires more residents to get involved in their communities.
This year, CNCS encouraged communities to shine a light on national service by supporting the Employers of National Service Initiative. Virginia is one of the first states nationwide to be named an Employer of National Service and, on a local level, supporting this program will allow communities to have new access to AmeriCorps alums as a dedicated, highly qualified, and mission-oriented pool of potential employees.
In Richmond, Mayor Dwight C. Jones (photo above right) joined Councilwoman Kathy Graziano, Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism Chairperson Elizabeth Childress and area AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs for a special recognition ceremony at Huguenot High School. Mayor Jones issued a Proclamation stating the impact of national service on the City of Richmond as an effective way to solve our communities biggest issues. More than 75 volunteers then fanned out across the city for several service projects throughout the community, including literacy and cleanup projects.
Newport News celebrated Mayor's Day with Newport News Mayor McKinley Price joining Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism member Leslie Van Horn and Hampton Roads area national service members for a recognition ceremony at the Greater Hampton Roads Boys and Girls Club. The event, which featured a presentation of an official Proclamation, was followed by service projects at the Boys and Girls Club and Virginia Peninsula Food Bank.
In Abingdon, the United Way of Southwest Virginia Volunteer Generation Fund program hosted a recognition day event at Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. Abingdon Mayor Ed Morgan and Delegate Israel O'Quinn honored national service members and Governor's Advisory Board Member Terry Frye was also in attendance. Service projects followed the ceremony in the Town of Abingdon.
The Arlington/Northern Virginia region celebrated Mayor's Day at a special event hosted by Community Residence, Inc. Arlington County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Libby Garvey thanked local national service members along with Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism members Jessica Bowser, Omari Faulkner, and Elsa Vasquez Flores. Volunteers participated in a gardening project for Community Residences.
See more photos from the 2016 Mayor and County Recognition Day for Service!
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