(4/21/22) Every April, during the third week of the month, organizations across the country recognize the many volunteers who keep their groups running, provide services, and make their communities better.

Anoka-Hennepin Community Education recognized some of their amazing volunteers who help support schools, staff and the student population on social media, but it’s also an important time to focus on the students who do a record-setting amount of volunteering themselves!

During National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, 2022, Community Education youth service coordinators at each of Anoka-Hennepin’s five high schools are honoring students who have earned a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is an opportunity for coordinators to acknowledge their most outstanding volunteers and recognize the impact they make.

In order to earn an award, students must meet minimum volunteer hour requirements. The high schools honor both teens and young adults. There are three levels of recognition for each age group — bronze, silver and gold. Recipients receive a certificate, a pin, and a letter from the President of the United States.

“The numbers of award winners are down this year because of the pandemic,” said Jane Hansen, Community Education youth service coordinator at Champlin Park High School. “But it’s nice to recognize those students who were able to serve and reach their required hours.” Hansen presented her students with their awards on April 14.

The volunteer hour requirements for the Presidents Volunteer Service Award are:

Teens (11-15 years)

• Bronze = 50-74 hours
• Silver = 75-99 hours
• Gold = 100+ hours

Young Adults (16-25 years)   

• Bronze 100-174 hours
• Silver 175-249 hours
• Gold 250+ hours

To learn more about the President’s Volunteer Service Award, visit https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/.

The following are the names of students who received a President’s Volunteer Service Award for volunteer hours earned between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021:

Andover High School

Anoka High School

 
Blaine High School

 
Champlin Park High School

Coon Rapids High School