51 CASA of Lexington Volunteers Earn Presidential Recognition

Fifty-one CASA of Lexington volunteers have been awarded the federal President’s Volunteer Service Award for giving of their time to a worthy cause.

The PVSA award program recognizes the nation’s most outstanding volunteers for contributing large amounts of time to the organizations they support.

A total of 48 CASA volunteers with CASA of Lexington earned the Bronze-level PVSA for working more than 100 hours in 2020. Many of those volunteers far exceeded the 100-hour threshold. Two CASA volunteers earned the Silver-level PVSA for contributing more than 250 hours. One CASA volunteer earned the Gold-level PVSA for working more than 500 hours.

Each volunteer is receiving a Bronze, Silver or Gold pin or coin from the PVSA award program, as well as a personal thank-you letter from the U.S. president.

“Serving as a CASA volunteer is a significant time commitment of about five to 10 hours a month. But it’s also incredibly important and extremely rewarding work,” said Melynda Jamison, CASA of Lexington’s Executive Director. “We are proud of the work done by all of our volunteers. Receiving recognition from such a high level is welcome and our volunteers deserve it. At the same time, they would be the first to tell you the real reward is helping children find safe, permanent homes and changing their lives forever.”

In 2020, CASA of Lexington’s 235 volunteers spent almost 14,000 hours (583 days) advocating for abused and neglected children. That includes time spent visiting with the children, speaking with adults involved in their lives, writing reports and advocating for the child’s best interests in court.

The PVSA was created in 2003 to “recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity,” according to the PVSA. The award “honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.”