National League of Cities Helps Recognize National Service Across America

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National League of Cities (NLC) is co-sponsoring today's first-ever Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service. Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), today's recognition focuses on AmeriCorps members and Senior Corps volunteers who help city leaders every day by managing community volunteers, providing health services, restoring city parks, supporting food banks and homeless shelters, and through countless other acts of service that strengthen cities and towns.

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NLC President, Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, AZ and NLC First Vice President Chris Coleman, mayor of St. Paul, MN are each hosting events and programs in their home communities to commemorate National Service participants. They join the 832 mayors from across the country participating in the day of recognition.

In Avondale, Mayor Rogers will sign a proclamation recognizing national service and meet Senior Corps volunteers who serve the community through the Avondale Police Department Volunteers in Police Service Program.   

"National Service participants touch the lives of our residents every day, and are integral to the success of countless programs and services in our communities," Mayor Rogers said. Today we honor these selfless individuals for strengthening cities and towns across the country."

Currently 17 Senior Corps members serve with the City of Avondale Police Department, providing meaningful service by supporting Emergency Management, Communications, Crime Analysis, and several other program areas within the Department.

In St. Paul, Mayor Coleman will join local leaders as he visits AmeriCorps and Senior Corps project sites in his city. Coleman will visit Jackson Elementary School, Lutheran Social Services, and YouthCARE where he will meet with current and former Americorps and Senior Corps members to thank them for their service. More than 1,000 National Service volunteers currently serve in St. Paul.

"Our National Service volunteers are truly a crucial part of each one of our communities," Mayor Coleman said. "Today in Saint Paul, we celebrated the more than 1,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members whose countless contributions to our youth and families, neighborhoods and communities play a critical role in Saint Paul's vitality. I was excited to join more than 800 mayors across America, representing nearly 100 million Americans, who rallied together to highlight the local impact of these service members. Every one of us understands that for the vitality of our cities, regions and our country, we need national service to remain strong."

"NLC is a proud partner in today's efforts around the country to recognize the dedication of National Service individuals," Clarence Anthony, NLC's Executive Director said. "National Service is increasingly important to municipal leaders who continue to face fiscal challenges and recognize that national service is a cost-effective strategy to meeting critical city needs. We encourage city leaders to celebrate National Service today, and to continue to grow and support National Service programs in their hometowns."

NLC is one of three co-sponsors of the Mayor's Day of Recognition for National Service, along with Cities of Service and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The National League of Cities is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

SOURCE National League of Cities