SERVICE AWARDS

Bridges is a “certifying organization” that is approved to review and verify a volunteer’s hours, nominate individuals, and distribute the Governor and First Lady’s Service Award and President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA). Bridges will automatically track each student’s volunteer hours for the activities Bridges sponsors. Bridges must track Independent Activity hours for any student working towards a Service Award. The student must complete and submit the Independent Activity Form (found on the Bridges website). The completed form can be submitted to the JM office. Please note that a student may only receive service credit from one “certifying organization” an activity.

The Governor and First Lady’s Service Award
The Governor and First Lady’s Service Award celebrates the volunteer contributions of California's greatest resource – its people – and honors volunteers for their commitment to addressing needs in their local communities.

Children ages 5-14 must complete 25 hours of community service in a 12-month period. Award recipients will receive a personalized certificate signed by the Governor and First Lady. Earning the Governor and First Lady's Service Award is easy!
• Complete 25 hours of service during a 12-month period.
• Submit your Record of Service to a certifying organization (JMIS Bridges!)
• Your personalized certificate will be sent to you via your certifying organization.
• To be recognized, service activities should meet national or community needs in the areas of youth achievement, parks and open spaces, healthy communities, and public safety and emergency response. Activities should be unpaid and may not include court-ordered community service.
• For more information, visit http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/california/dspGFLA.cfm

Following receipt of this special California recognition, participants are encouraged to continue serving towards additional levels of recognition provided by the President's Volunteer Service Award program.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages and backgrounds who have made a sustained commitment to volunteer service. The Award, issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the White House, honors individuals, families and groups that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period or throughout their lifetime.

Award recipients receive:
• An official President’s Volunteer Service Award pin: Bronze, Silver, or Gold
Bronze Level: 50 to 74 hours
Silver Level: 75 to 99 hours
Gold Level: 100 hours or more
• A personalized certificate of achievement
• A note of congratulations from the President of the United States
• A letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation
• For more information, visit http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/california/dspPVSA.cfm