“Whether making a difference in their own community or traveling elsewhere to help during a disaster, Pennsylvanians are not afraid to put the needs of others before their own,” said Dr. Eli Avila, Secretary of Health. “As we all saw during last year’s devastating floods, we cannot underestimate the value of volunteerism.”
Gov. Tom Corbett proclaimed Volunteer Week to honor the many acts of volunteerism performed every day by Pennsylvanians. The proclamation praised the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Pennsylvania, also known as SERVPA.
Coordinated by the Department of Health, SERVPA is a secure, statewide database of registered, pre-credentialed volunteers who can be called upon during major disasters or public health emergencies. Approximately 10,500 medical and non-medical volunteers are currently registered.
The ultimate goal of SERVPA is to engage volunteers in local emergency service and respond to requests for emergency assistance from other states. It was established in response to a federal order to enhance the nation’s disaster-response capability.
Pennsylvanians interested in registering to volunteer through SERVPA should visit online at https://www.serv.pa.gov.
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974.