Local Recognition

The Kalamazoo Gazette is a long-time co-sponsor of the annual STAR Awards volunteer recognition program. Each week the Gazette features special reports in their STRONGER TOGETHER section. This ongoing section shines the spotlight on people who are making the community stronger, and shows how you can help. To read more about the organizations and individuals involved click here.

Other Awards

Nominate a person or organization on a local, state or national level.

Angels In Action Award http://www.angelsoft.com/angelsinaction
Rewards children ages 5-15 for performing acts of kindness which benefit their community or charity.  They are honored with a $10,000 savings bond and a family trip to Disney World.

Awards for Excellence In Corporate Community Service http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/workplace/nominate.cfm
The Points of Light Foundation recognizes companies with effective volunteer programs that are linked to their business objectives.

College Scholarships and Community Service Awards http://charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/community-service-scholarships.htm
To encourage and reward community service involvement, many companies and private foundations provide scholarships to college students and college-bound students.  CharityGuide.org maintains this useful list with links. 

The Congressional Award http://congressionalaward.org
The U.S. Congress awards a medal to young people ages 14-23, who set and achieve goals for volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and an expedition.

Daily Points of Light Award http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards
Started under the first President Bush and continued through today, the Daily Points of Light program recognizes distinguished local volunteers.  To find out more contact the Points of Light Foundation or to receive a nomination form, please call 202-729-8184.

Harris Wofford Awards http://www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm
A recognition program for the youth service movement to honor the life work of Harris Wofford  by making service to others the common expectation and common experience of every young person in America.  This web page on Youth Service America's site also gives information on grants to support National Youth Service Day projects.

Kohl's Kids Who Care Program http://www.kohlscorporation.com/CommunityRelations/Community05.htm
Kohl's Department Stores provide an annual opportunity for community members to nominate a child between the ages of 6-18 who has volunteered "above and beyond what is normally expected."  There are store-level winners, regional winners and national winners.

National Family Volunteer Awards http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards
Recognizes outstanding family volunteering activities as part of the Points of Light Foundation's Family Matters initiative.  Annual award with nominations accepted until April for the previous year.

President's Student Service Awards and Scholarships http://www.student-service-awards.org
A White House initiative which recognizes young Americans with awards for outstanding community service, while encouraging more young people to serve.

Prudential Spirit Of Community Awardshttp://www.prudential.com/community/spirit
Seek nominations of young volunteers, in grades 7-12, who have made the greatest commitment and impact over the past year.  National honorees will receive $5,000, gold medallions and crystal trophies for their schools.  Application forms available in middle and high schools, Girl Scout councils and county 4-H offices throughout the U.S.  They also may be obtained by visiting the web site or by calling 1-888-450-9961.

Temple Awards For Creative Altruism http://www.noetic.org/community/grants.cfm
Awarded since 1987 by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, the Temple Awards for Creative Altruism includes a $25,000 award fund which is divided biennially among one or more individuals. The recipients are people who have demonstrated, through their lives and works, the inspirational light of unselfish service motivated by love, the transformative power of caring, creativity and commitment.