Published On: April 16, 2015

Today’s post was written by Tessa Barnard
The week of April 12-18, 2015, marked National Volunteer Appreciation Weekas established by an executive order from President Richard Nixon over forty years ago. Every sitting U.S. President since Nixon has made a proclamation recognizing the service of American citizens in their communities. President Barack Obama had this to say regarding the strength and spirit of service in this year’s National Volunteer Week Proclamation:
As a Nation, our greatest resource is our people. We each have the power to strengthen the fabric of our society and make the world a better place. Every day, Americans across the country realize this enormous potential through service to others and by giving back to their communities. During National Volunteer Week, we recognize those who embrace a life of active, energetic, and engaged citizenship, and we reaffirm our belief that all people have something to contribute to the American story.
This spirit of service is deeply embedded in our culture and vital to our national character. It reflects the idea that we are each our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers, and it is a core part of being an American. Through service, ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact. In times of tragedy, volunteers are a source of comfort and resilience; in places of great need, they offer hope and renew our faith that a brighter day lies ahead; and in small neighborhoods and bustling cities, these dedicated individuals help build ladders of opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds. Volunteers — often with few resources and little recognition — make enormous sacrifices to lift up the people around them as well as those they may never meet. As they do, they give new life to the values that bind us together as Americans and to the promise that those who love their country can change it.
For the second year, Easterseals Crossroads has held a Volunteer Appreciation event at Latitude 360 to thank its volunteers for giving over 10,709 hours of their time in 2014 to children and adults with disabilities, special needs, or challenges. Volunteers from nearly every program were treated to a delicious appetizer buffet, exciting video and redemption games, silly photos, and bowling.