Qualifications for the President’s Volunteer Service Award”

​Three students from West California Academy of Art and Design (WCAAD) have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Jenny Guan，17 years old，won the 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award.

Irene Zhou，17 years old，won the 2021 President’s Volunteer Service Silver Award.

Charles Cui，17 years old，won the 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Silver Award.

​The prize package includes: the official President’s Volunteer Service Award medallion,
a personalized certificate of achievement and congratulatory letter signed by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

​Jenny, Irene and Charles are studying at the WCAAD preparing for college application. 
 
WCAAD is a certified program to give this award to its students. The honor also extends to parents as well such as the life time achievement award.

​How many hours of volunteer work do you need to do within a year to be qualified for the annual Presidential Volunteer Service Award? (Lifetime Achievement Award not included).

​What are the specific requirements for applying for this award through WCAAD?
 
1. Applicants must be WCAAD students.
 
2. More than 50% of the volunteer time required must be involved in the volunteer service activities organized by WCAAD.
 
3. Applicants who participate in non WCAAD volunteer activities (i.e. external activities) must submit proof of their participation and time, and the document must be signed by the project leader or certifying person.
 
Volunteer Service Presidential Award Application & Processing Fee: $300（Additional fees may apply. Third party fees may apply.）

​WCAAD Principal Lei Wang has established a 「Volunteer Service WeChat Group」 for students and parents who are interested. Contact info: Tel 626-558-7777，Wechat: myartedu.

​What is the President's Volunteer Service Award?
 
In 2003, the President』s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President』s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America』s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
 
Eligible Service includes: unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others; service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards; travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility.
 
Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations like (West California Academy of Art and Design) to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.
 
The PVSA has continued under each administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation.

​In addition to offering art education programs for children, WCAAD staff and students have also been continuously taking time and efforts to provide voluntary public service for the community.  During the past twenty years, Principal Lei Wang, WCAAD instructors and students have collectively contributed more than 6,000 hours to domestic and international public service.

Volunteer Eligibility
• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
• Must be at least five years old
• Completes eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)

Eligible Service does not include:
• Donating funds
• Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
•  Religious instruction
• Conducting worship service
• Proselytizing
• Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
• Serving only family members

​American society places great importance on volunteer culture, and some colleges have specific requirements for applicants to do volunteer work: at least 60 hours voluntary public service for the community. 

​In addition to excellent academic performance, most WCAAD students admitted to prestigious colleges have rich volunteer experiences.
 
 
Welcome to the volunteer service family!

​(By Omar Gallegos, WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education)