Title
A Resolution of Appreciation Designating April as National Volunteer Month
Presenter:
Richard Skorman, President Pro Tem of City Council
Karen Palus, Director - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Body
Summary:
During National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of change makers to come together to tackle tough challenges, and build stronger, more vibrant communities. This month gives our organization a chance to recognize and honor the volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice, and support to causes they care about. These individuals are taking action and solving problems in their community. The City of Colorado Springs offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities with thousands of individuals serving throughout the year in all of these capacities. While the pandemic limited the number of projects and volunteers supporting these efforts, individuals and organizations still provided support to the community including delivering almost 200,000 pounds of food to the public through mobile pantries at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department's community centers during 2020. This is just one example of how volunteers and community support positively impacted lives during truly unprecedented times.
Background:
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their communities to be at the center of positive change. Since then, National Volunteer Week, which later went on to become National Volunteer Month, has been celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm every April. It was made official worldwide in 1990.
Within the City of Colorado Springs in a typical year, nearly 16,000 volunteers will contribute almost 200,000 hours of service to the community with an estimated value of over $5.9 million (based on the latest state value of $29.50 per hour).
This item supports the City's strategic goal relating to building community and collabor...
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