Winslow, Maine – Heart of America Quilt today announced it has awarded 9 volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service. Volunteers have been honored with this National Award.

Established in 2003, the Award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of hundreds of Certifying Organizations participating in the Award program, Heart of America Quilt confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

Heart of America Quilt has a long history of volunteer service, and more than 200 volunteers perform community service each year on behalf of the organization. Volunteers from across the country are working for the Heart of America Quilt in many forms of community involvement.

“In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush created the USA Freedom Corps, and called on every American to make a lifelong commitment to volunteer service. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals and families who have answered that call,” said Susan Morissette President, of Heart of America Quilt.

“America’s volunteers work to make our communities stronger and safer. As a Certifying Organization for the Award program, Heart of America Quilt is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives.”

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an award for volunteer service that every American – from every age and every walk of life – can aspire to achieve. To be eligible to receive the Award, individuals, families and groups submit a record of their annual volunteer service hours to participating Certifying Organizations, such as Heart of America Quilt, that will verify the service and deliver the Award. Award eligibility for individuals and groups is based on hour requirements varying by age.

“These recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award are role models for all Americans,” Morissette said. “Each volunteer hour contributed makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others, and I encourage everyone to contribute to our community by volunteering. Volunteers bring us closer together as families, as communities and as a Nation, through their commitment.”

The Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.

For more information about volunteering for Heart of America Quilt, please contact Admin@HeartofAmericaQuilt.org.

For more information about how to qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.PresidentialServiceAwards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.

The Heart of America Quilt began in the aftermath of the event of 9/11 as a small quilt from Maine. Started by the Morissette family on Sept.13 2001 to help the children of Maine heal and feel a sense of helpfulness to those that lost so much on 9/11. Within weeks of its conception, the Heart of America Quilt grew to national level with panels from many other states. At present the Heart of America Quilt has involvement from all 50 of the United States with an addition of over 10 countries (including Iraq and India).

The quilt in a form of a United States Flag is over one half acre in size when displayed in full form. From the small project it began as, it has grown to hold names of tens of thousands of people from across the world. An educational program is being piloted for children in all grade levels.