Smith earns volunteer award
for work with Presque Isle Historical Society
The Presque Isle Historical Society was founded in 1963 and has been an all-volunteer organization for its entire 50-plus years in existence. As such, its volunteers are very important to the organization, especially now that the local non-profit provides eight different types of tours to the community as well as travelling exhibits and presentations.
Several years ago, Presque Isle Historical Society registered with the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation as a means to officially recognize its volunteers for the many hours given to the organization.
In order to qualify, organizations must adhere to the program’s agreement, be legally established in the United States, receive the benefit of the volunteer service, and verify the volunteers hours once entered online. Each year, approximately 50 volunteers contribute a total of over 2,000 hours to the Historical Society.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is the premier volunteer award program encouraging citizens of the United States to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition. PVSA is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and is administered by Points of Light. The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in a results-driven service each year via 70,000 community and faith-based organizations. Points of Light is the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service and mobilizes millions of people annually to take action.
Hours are measured over a 12-month period and awards offered at various levels. For adults over the age of 25, a bronze award is earned for 100 to 249 hours of annual volunteer service; silver for 250 to 499; and gold for 500 or more. There is also a Lifetime Achievement Award given to those who have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.
For an individual volunteer to be eligible for an award through the PVSA, the volunteer must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident, freely give volunteer service (court-ordered service does not count), and provide the service to an approved organization. The awards consist of a lapel pin, certificate signed by the President of the United States, and a congratulatory letter signed by the President as well.
For 2014, Presque Isle Historical Society had only two volunteers qualify – Craig Green, president of the board of directors; and Kim Smith, secretary/treasurer of the board of directors. While this number is lower than in years past, a very special milestone was reached this year. Smith’s cumulative total of volunteered hours over the last four years totaled over 4,100 hours qualifying her for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Smith says she feels fortunate to be able to give back to her community on a daily basis and truly loves volunteering for the Historical Society. The events, tours and exhibits are fun, challenging and educational for her as well as the viewing public.
Presque Isle Historical Society’s mission is to study, promote, and preserve the history, culture, heritage and physical artifacts of Presque Isle for present and future generations.
