Governor Brewer has issued Volunteer Leadership Awards to 236 Arizonans who have completed at least 100 hours of community service this Centennial year. In the months leading up to Arizona’s 100th anniversary of statehood, the Governor issued a Centennial Volunteer Challenge – a statewide call for Arizonans to dedicate 100 hours of service to our State’s most vulnerable communities.
“Service to others is one of the most important, gratifying activities any Arizonan can pursue,” said Governor Brewer. “I am inspired by the selfless efforts of these individuals and others like them. When I made the call in January for Arizonans to celebrate our State’s Centennial year by volunteering in their communities, I had no doubt our citizens would rise to the challenge. That’s exactly what they’ve done.”
Establishment of this public-private partnership has led to the creation of a database that has increased the ease and efficiency with which Arizonans record and monitor volunteer hours. According to the database, the Governor’s challenge has generated 24,290 volunteers who have contributed a combined 1,927,947 hours of volunteer service to their communities. The 236 individuals who received a certificate of appreciation from the Governor have all contributed at least 100 hours of service – amounting to a combined total of 68,570 volunteer hours.
“This partnership provides an easy way for individuals to log and track their service hours and to connect with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the State,” said Catherine Rae Dunning, Arizona 2-1-1 CEO. “Through this new partnership, we are now better equipped to be of greater service to our citizens and the many organizations through which they volunteer to benefit their communities.”
“When it comes to serving our communities, there is always work to be done,” said Governor Brewer. “I challenge everyone – particularly Arizona’s young people – to continue making our great state even greater this Centennial year.”
All individuals, organizations and students are encouraged to visit http://211arizona.volunteermatch.org to register for the Arizona Volunteer Challenge, find out about volunteer opportunities in their community and begin logging service hours.