Berkshire AHEC Recognizes Mount Everett Volunteers

11:57AM / Friday, June 22, 2012

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire AHEC presented volunteers Eve Kuzmech and Jacqueline Martinez with the President's Volunteer Service Award, a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.

Established in 2003, the award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded 100 hours of volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of certifying organizations participating in the award program, Berkshire AHEC confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.

Kuzmech and Martinez, both juniors at Mount Everett Regional School in Sheffield, have completed more than 130 hours of service this year and will be receiving the bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The students participated in Berkshire AHEC’s Youth Health Service Corps, a health careers recruitment program for high school students in the area. Upon completing a health-care curriculum covering such topics as leadership and service learning, health disparities and vulnerable populations, ethical and legal issues, careers, and vitals, the students began their volunteer service working with the school nurse. They completed projects for her as well as conducted service learning projects such as healthy eating and personal hygiene for students of school and Undermountain Elementary, also in Sheffield.

"These recipients of the President's Volunteer Service Award are role models for their community," Sarah Robbins said. Robbins, an AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellow, serves as program coordinator for AHEC's YHSC program. "Eve and Jackie were delights to have in the YHSC and I am very proud of their accomplishments."

The award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President Bush to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers.

For more information about volunteering with the Youth Health Service Corps, contact Sarah Robbins at 413-997-1112.


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