The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

Saints Philip and James School, in conjunction with Sts Philip and James Parish, is pleased to be able to announce that we have become a nationally recognized Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.

The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a recognition program in the United States that honors individuals and groups for their volunteer service. The award is based on the number of hours a volunteer has dedicated to community service during a 12-month period and is divided into different levels, including bronze, silver, gold, and the President's Call to Service Award. SSPJ will operate using May 1 through April 30 as their 12-month period.

Eligibility: The President's Volunteer Service Award is available to individuals of all ages, from children to adults, who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. SSPJ is proud to first implement this significant opportunity for our students and community who are in at least the 5th grade, regardless of their enrollment in the school.

Service Hours: The number of service hours required to qualify for the award varies based on age categories, which are determined by the age the person was for at least 7 months within the 12-month calendar year.

• Children (under 14): A minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service within a 12-month period.
• Young Adults (Ages 15-25): A minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service within a 12-month period.
• Adults (Ages 26 and older): A minimum of 250 hours of volunteer service within a 12-month period.

Awards Levels: The award has multiple levels, including Bronze, Silver, and Gold, which are based on the number of hours served and the volunteer's age.
Tracking and Verification: To qualify for the award, volunteers must track and record their service hours, and get those hours verified by Mrs. Kelly Giacalone, Director of Volunteer Service for SSPJ, who will then submit an application on the child’s behalf. Please use the attached form to begin sending her volunteer hours. The form will include all the information necessary for verification purposes.

Recognition: Recipients of the award receive a certificate, a letter from the President of the United States, and a personalized award pin.

Why We Are Pleased To Offer this Opportunity: Recognition and prestige, personal fulfillment, high school/college and job applications, scholarships and grants, inspiration to others, networking and skill development, giving back, and personal growth and development.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Mrs. Kelly Giacalone at kellymarkus@msn.com. Mrs. Giacalone will call all parents/high school students at least one time during the process before all hours are finalized to ensure accuracy with tabulation.