Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Recognize Youth Volunteers in South Carolina

Strategic Insights -

Over the past 14 years, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to nearly 1,200 middle and high school students in South Carolina for their volunteer work, helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities. The awards program, now in its 15th year, seeks to identify and recognize young South Carolinians who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognize outstanding community service by young people in grades 5 through 12, with nearly 1,200 students from South Carolina receiving awards over the past 14 years.
  • The program honors Local Honorees, State Honorees, and National Honorees, with prizes including $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
  • Emily Conrad, 17, of Spartanburg, and Janey Turner, 14, of Easley, were South Carolina's top youth volunteers for 2009, recognized for creating a multi-chapter reading club and shipping care packages to American servicemen.
  • Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), stated that the program recognizes the nation's youth volunteers, offering tangible and memorable tokens of appreciation for their work.
  • The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on community service, having honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at local, state, and national levels since 1995.
  • The program is part of a broad youth-service initiative by Prudential, which includes a youth leadership training program, a booklet of volunteer ideas, and a website featuring profiles of outstanding youth volunteers.

Statistics:

  • Over the past 14 years, approximately 1,200 middle and high school students in South Carolina have received the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
  • The program has honored nearly 90,000 young volunteers at local, state, and national levels since 1995.
  • To qualify for the President's Volunteer Service Award, Local Honorees must contribute a minimum of 50 hours for those under 14, and 100 hours for those over 14.
  • On February 9, 2010, 2 State Honorees from each state, including South Carolina, will be named, each receiving $1,000 and an engraved silver medallion.
  • On May 1-4, 2010, the State Honorees will travel to Washington, D.C. with a parent for four days of recognition events.

Sources:

  • "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Seek Nominations for Youth Volunteers" (Source: China Weekly News, Copyright 2009, via VerticalNews.com)
  • "Prudential Spirit of Community Awards" (Source: http://spirit.prudential.com)
  • "National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)" (Source: www.principals.org)
  • "Prudential Financial, Inc." (Source: www.news.prudential.com)