DUBOIS – On May 25 18 youth and nine adults were honored after Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in DuBois for volunteer service in their community.
Alice Pollock of the Volunteer Center of Clearfield County stated that “These volunteers have shared their time and talents to make a difference in our communities and are truly living up to the Points of Light and Hands on Network’s theme, Inspiring by Example!”.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the most prestigious volunteer award currently associated with the White House. Issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States, it also seeks to inspire by example, honoring the service of committed volunteers and sharing their achievements to encourage more Americans to volunteer.
“Today we celebrate the achievements of our local President’s Volunteer Service Award recipients. Their commitment is a shining example to all of us”, stated Pollock.
Allyson Andrulonis, Emily Andrulonis, Lucas Buchanan, Taylor Buchanan, Megan Corbet, Samantha Evans, Brian Fuller, Devlin Garred, Patrick Rutledge, Timothy, Rutledge, Emma Ruttinger, Mathew Ruttinger, Joe Shaffer, Samantha Staples, Jorge Salvador, Maria Werner, Sara Werner, Julia Werner, Barry Andrulonis, Joanne Caldwell, Joanne Kriss, Joan Rutledge, Sue Ruttinger, Amy Santos, Linda Staples, Barbra Shields, and Cynthia Evans were each presented with a certificate from the Volunteer Center of Clearfield County, a letter from the White House signed by President George Bush, and a gold pin.
Volunteers are the backbone of the community, meeting critical needs and helping to improve the quality of life. The St. Michael the Archangel Charitable Kids (SMACK) program under the direction of Cynthia Evans has worked with the Volunteer Center of Clearfield County and has donated thousands of hours to the community.” SMACK has helped with landscaping of a Habitat for Humanity home in DuBois, cleaned a church cemetery, helped at their church’s annual fall festival, and prepared 28 food baskets to distribute in the community. For Christmas, they adopted a family and provided a Christmas tree, food, and gifts for the entire family. In February, they visited the residents at Christ the King Manor Nursing Home and the DuBois Nursing Home where they sang and visited with the residents. Other activities included putting together Easter baskets for the pediatric department of DuBois Regional Medical Center West, visiting patients in hospitals and collecting items such as soap, shampoo, and other items needed by the Good Samaritan’s men’s shelter, Marian House shelter for women in Clearfield.
Pollock stated, “Each month I get a call from Cindy wanting to know what the group can do next. The SMACK club has taken their commitment to volunteering to heart and have worked hard this past year to reach out to others in need. We applaud these young people and their parents for their efforts.”
Following the awards presentation, a reception was held in the church basement.
The Volunteer Center of Clearfield County is a community outreach effort sponsored the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc and is funded in part through the Area Agency on Aging, grants, and local and client donations. The Volunteer Center is a member of the Points of Light/Hands on Network.