Tri-County Red Cross honors volunteer with President's Gold Volunteer Service Award

Plainfield, NJ:  The Tri-County Red Cross announces it has awarded South Plainfield's Terri Esposito with the President's GOLD Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of over 400 hours of volunteer service she performed in 2008.

Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.  As one of thousands

of Certifying Organizations participating in the Award program, the Tri-County Red Cross confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers. 

The Tri-County Red Cross has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 500 volunteers perform community service each year on behalf of the organization. 

"President Barack Obama is continuing the work that President George W. Bush did by creating the USA Freedom Corps, and continues to call on every American to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service.  The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals and families who have answered that call," said Michael Prasad, Director of Emergency Services of the Tri-County Red Cross Chapter.  

"America's volunteers work to make our communities stronger and safer. As a Certifying Organization for the Award program, the Tri-County Red Cross is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives."

The President's Volunteer Service Award is an award for volunteer service that every American - from every age and every walk of life - can aspire to achieve.  To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating Certifying Organizations, such as the Tri-County Red Cross, that will verify the service and deliver the Award. Award eligibility for individuals and groups is based on hour requirements varying by age. 

"These recipients of the President's Volunteer Service Award are role models for all Americans," Mr. Prasad said.  "Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others, and I encourage everyone to contribute to our community by volunteering.  Volunteers bring us closer together as families, as communities and as a Nation, through their commitment."

The Award is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the contributions volunteers are making to our Nation.  

For more information about volunteering for the Tri-County Red Cross, please click on our Volunteer Tab at the top of this web site. 

For more information about how to qualify for the President's Volunteer Service Award and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.