External Awards Available for Dedicated Volunteers
Take credit for the work you do and help the children you know who have big hearts get recognized as well. Use the information below to learn about nationally available awards that you or someone you know might be eligible for.
The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life - businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults - to volunteer. The Foundation partners with many national organizations to offer numerous awards under many different categories. For comprehensive information on all Points of Light awards and their criteria, visit
and click on Awards. Below is a quick reference of those which may be relevant to WOW/ALA members and their families.
Visit the POL website to view more detailed information about the following awards:
Daily Points of Light Award
The Daily Points of Light Awards are given to individuals who find innovative ways to meet community needs, efforts which often lead to long-term solutions and impact social problems in their local communities.
National Family Volunteer Awards
The National Family Volunteer Awards are presented to recognize outstanding family volunteering activities performed at any time throughout the year. These volunteer efforts may include, but are not limited to, National Family Volunteer Day activities.
President’s Community Volunteer Awards
The President's Community Volunteer Award, formerly called the President's Service Award, is the most prestigious award for volunteer community service. It reflects the importance the President has placed on community service. The awards are presented annually by the President in recognition of outstanding volunteer service directed at solving critical social problems and to call public attention to the contributions made by the nation's 93 million volunteers. More than 3,500 nominations are submitted each year for the President’s Community Volunteer Awards. Nominations are reviewed in the areas of human needs, environment, education and public safety, with special consideration given to those activities that benefit or involve young people.
Wyeth GOAL! (Go On And Live!) Awards
To honor those exceptional volunteers who have overcome depression and gone on to achieve a personal potential previously unknown to them. Wyeth and the Points of Light Foundation are partners in supporting the GOAL! Awards program.
Presidents Student Service Awards
Recognize students from kindergarten through college for outstanding community service.
International Youth Hall of Fame ® (IYHF)
Helps communities come together to recognize, celebrate, encourage, document and publicize the positive efforts of their youth who are making a difference at home, in school, and in the community.
During his 2002 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush called upon every American to get involved in strengthening America's communities and sharing America's compassion around the world. He called on each of us to dedicate at least two years over the course of our lives to the service of others. He included all Americans, especially youth, because everyone can do something, and he created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans to answer his call. To view information on the awards below and other awards, visit http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/home/sitemap/index.asp The awards listed on this site are particularly focused on youth volunteerism.
The National Caring Award
Each year the Caring Institute recognizes 10 adults and 5 young adults - those who ennoble the human race by transcending self in service to others.
Congressional Award
A public partnership created to promote and recognize achievement, initiative, and service in America’s youth ages 14-23.
Members
Camp/Lodge Leaders
Awards
