On April 5th, 2016, over 3500 local leaders across America participated in the fourth annual Mayor and County Recognition Day for National Service. This day serves to recognize the efforts of volunteer service organizations and to thank AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers for their valuable impact in communities throughout the nation.
In Riverside, Mayor Rusty Bailey and the city council hosted a reception at Riverside City Hall to celebrate the work and dedication of more than 100 AmeriCorps, National Civilian Community Corps, Senior Corps, and Energy Corps volunteers who serve throughout the city. “Our volunteers are crucial to making Riverside the caring and supportive place that it is,” Mayor Bailey said. “They work hard to tackle some of the most pressing challenges our communities face.” This work includes providing tutoring for disadvantaged youth, making renewable energy technology and job training accessible to under-served communities, and providing affordable housing.
Patty Carver, Neighborhood Revitalization Manager and AmeriCorps Host Site Manager at Habitat for Humanity Riverside, said a few words and received a certificate from the mayor. In her speech she shared some memorable passages that illustrate the spirit of national service volunteers.
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” – Mr. Rogers
It is important to acknowledge the extraordinary work being done by the heroes he described. We’d like to thank the millions of dedicated men and women who serve in Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and other service programs. Mr. Rogers would be proud!
Left to right: Julianna McDonnell, Patty Carver, Stephanie Morales. Julianna and Stephanie currently serve at Habitat for Humanity Riverside with Cristian Aguilar, who was unable to attend the event.
