This month, VANTAGE Aging’s AmeriCorps program joined local leaders across the country in an annual nationwide initiative to highlight the impact of national service in tackling local problems. This year’s event is especially meaningful, as tens of thousands of these AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors members have supported communities in their response to the pandemic during the last year.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our way of life, national service has never been more important for the communities we serve across Ohio.
AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers make our communities better places to live. As we thank national service members for their dedication and sacrifice this National Volunteer Month, we can all pledge to do our part to strengthen our county through service and volunteering.
VANTAGE’s AmeriCorps volunteers serve in seven Ohio counties, including Summit, Medina, Geauga, Wayne, Franklin, Delaware, and Hamilton. They participate in a variety of service activities, including supporting food banks, collecting and distributing donations, creating uplifting messages in greeting cards, delivering meals to homebound seniors, and supporting isolated seniors.
Given the many challenges facing communities, county and city leaders are increasingly engaging their residents to be part of the solution through national service. More than 8,300 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve in Ohio, providing vital support by using their lifelong skills and experiences to solve problems.
Now in its ninth year, National Service Recognition Day is a bipartisan effort to recognize the positive impact of national service, to thank those who serve, and to encourage more citizens to give back to their communities.
Across the nation, local leaders are participating in a variety of activities, including virtually visiting national service programs, issuing proclamations, and communicating the impact of national service through social media.
As the federal agency for service and volunteering, AmeriCorps annually engages millions of Americans in service at more than 40,000 locations through AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, and other programs. National service participants address some of the toughest challenges facing our nation. From helping communities recover from natural disasters, uplifting veterans and military families, restoring parks, and strengthening public safety, to tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged students, national service members get things done.
AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers continue to be instrumental in our country’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for all that you do to help our communities thrive!