The Carl V. Patton Volunteer Service award acknowledges and highlights the unsung heroes. It’s one thing to be dedicated your studies and maybe have a job, but to assist complete strangers for no reason other than it being from the kindness of your heart is truly admirable.
Every year there are students, student organizations, staff members and members of the faculty who manage to somehow squeeze community service into their hectic schedules. Countless hours are dedicated to planning, performing, implementing and facilitating service projects all throughout the year. These same individuals go the extra mile without expecting anything in return and that’s exactly why they should receive something in return.
Whether you’re a student, faculty member or staff member, you know how easy it is to disappear on this campus; everyone deserves their fifteen minutes of fame especially for positively contributing to your community. With all the negativity in the world, it’s nice to take some out to appreciate the forgotten about goodness.
So what does this have to do with you and why should you care? Well if you think about it, you know at least one person who is Mr. or Ms. Incredible that seem to be involved in everything; here’s your chance to make sure that their hard work gets recognized. Did you join a new organization last year that contributed to the community? Then your organization is qualified. Your favorite professor that was always promoting service projects — they’re eligible too.
Now that you know who’s qualified, you need to know how to nominate and who can nominate. Anyone can nominate an individual, organization or a faculty or staff member.
You can even nominate yourself, but if you’re feeling modest ask your best friend, roommate, favorite professor, your boss, so on and so forth. Literally, anyone who can vouch for your hard work is an eligible nominator. All that needs to be done is to fill out the application form and get two letters of recommendation.
Here’s a little incentive: There’s a scholarship opportunity. Each recipient of the award will have the chance to select a Georgia State program or scholarship to receive a $500 gift in their name. Even after you’re awarded for giving back, you’ll still be giving back.
The truth is there can only be one winner from each category for the $500 award, but there is another opportunity for recognition. Anyone who has completed a minimum of 100 community service hours will receive a letter from President Barack Obama and a pin thanking you for your service or what’s formally known as The President’s Service Award. Everyone is a winner!
I hope you consider nominating someone and if you do just make sure you submit your application by Feb. 6 by 5 p.m. to Alicia Bellezza-Watts in the Office of Civic Engagement. Good luck and keep serving!
