Skip to Content

Menu Navigation

Toolbar Options

Member Options

Breadcrumb

Press Releases

For immediate release:
October 30, 2007

Contact:
Carla Harris - 804-726-7107

Virginians ready to take on their communities - Abingdon, VA

AmeriCorps swearing in ceremony Oct. 31 kicks off year of volunteer service

Richmond, VA - Interviews and photo opportunities are available for the following event:

WHO:

  • Honorable Reverend Anderson Clary - Chairman, Governor's Commission on Community and National Service
  • Perry D. Martin - Commission Member, Governor's Commission on Community and National Service; Assistant Director, Service Learning, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
  • Pastor Herber Scott - Commission Member, Governor's Commission on Community and National Service; Pastor, Morning Star Church, Castlewood, VA
  • AmeriCorps members and staff

WHAT:
Virginians ready to serve their communities as AmeriCorps members will be sworn in during a ceremony at Virginia Highlands Community College. The ceremony is held each fall to introduce new AmeriCorps members embarking on a year of service to the Commonwealth.

Virginia AmeriCorps members who were nominated for the first-ever Robert E. Wone Award for Exemplary Service will be honored at the ceremony. The Robert E. Wone Award has been established in memory of Robert E. Wone, a former member of the Governor's Commission on Community and National Service. The award recognizes an AmeriCorps member who has exhibited outstanding civic engagement and community service. The winner of this year's award is Cheryl Jennings of Hampton, Va.

WHERE:
Virginia Highlands Community College Campus
One Partnership Circle
Abingdon, Virginia

WHEN:
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

WHY:
AmeriCorps is a network of service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country's critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment.

In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of up to $4,725 that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 4,700 Virginia residents have qualified for AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $17,200,000.

###

Editor's Note: For more information on AmeriCorps programs in Virginia, visit www.vaservice.org. To arrange interviews, contact Carla Harris at (804) 726-7107 or Kimberly Brown at (804) 726-7069.

- Published on Tuesday, October 30, 2007