April – A month of volunteerism

Volunteerism has become an integral part of society, effecting youth and adult volunteers, nonprofits and businesses at large. April has become the month for volunteer recognition with the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, National Volunteer Week, and Global Youth Service Day. Additionally, volunteerism will be celebrated locally at the Mayors’ Volunteer and Top Teen Awards. The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is the lead agency for these April events.

Every day, in cities across America, national service is tackling tough problems and strengthening communities. Whether supporting food banks and homeless shelters, restoring city parks, building homes, managing community volunteers, providing health services, or tutoring and mentoring students, national service members help mayors tackle tough problems.

To spotlight the impact of national service and thank those who serve, mayors across the country will participate in the second-annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service on April 1, 2014.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

This year National Volunteer Week’s theme, Celebrating People in Action, presents an opportunity for individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and government entities alike to celebrate the ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things through service April 6 – 12.

Each year, millions of youth around the world work together with schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, volunteer and national service programs, government agencies, faith communities, and other individuals to address critical issues and change their communities on Global Youth Service Day.

Global Youth Service Day is held during National Volunteer Week, April 11 – 13. Through programs such as this, youth volunteers are recognized for the tremendous impact they are making on our country's most critical challenges year-round.

Locally, the Mayors’ Volunteer Awards honor the exemplary contributions of individuals ages 19 and older who dedicate their time and talent to volunteerism in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Evansdale and surrounding communities in Black Hawk County.

The Mayors’ Top Teen Awards honor youth ages 13-18 attending a school in Black Hawk County. The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa also selects one junior from each of the accredited high schools in Black Hawk County to receive the $1000 Mother Moon Service Scholarship.

This year, the Mayors’ Volunteer and Top Teen Award recipients will be recognized at special events on April 22 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The awards program is sponsored by the cities of Cedar Falls, Evansdale and Waterloo, the Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, the RJ McElroy Trust and the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley works to promote and support effective volunteerism and to serve as the resource and coordination center for volunteers and community partnerships. To secure volunteer opportunities call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 319-272-2087 or email information@vccv.org. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.