One Million Young People Worldwide Will Serve and Celebrate on Global Youth Service Day, April 26-28, 2013

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's young people are preparing for the 25^th anniversary of Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 26, 27 and 28, 2013, when children and young adults in more than 100 countries will lead volunteer projects and events celebrating the good work youth are doing in their communities year-round.

More than 2,000 Global Youth Service Day projects are searchable online at www.GYSD.org. The youth-led projects range from environmental clean-ups and bullying prevention campaigns in developed countries, to women's rights and large-scale vaccination campaigns in other parts of the world. At least 1 million young people are expected to participate in GYSD 2013 activities.

Global Youth Service Day 2013 highlights include:

• The patronage of First Lady Michelle Obama, who serves as the honorary chair of Global Youth Service Day for the third year. Local and national government entities around the world support Global Youth Service Day through proclamations, event attendance and funding of local activities.
• On April 27 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Global Youth Service Day will receive recognition as part of the Radio Disney Music Awards, music's biggest night for kids.
• Children enrolled in the UnitedHealth HEROES program have walked 38,000 miles since Martin Luther King Day as part of their commitment to combat childhood obesity through service-learning activities. They will conclude their program with community service events such as fun runs, trail clean-ups and healthy-eating fairs.

Stories of individual youth projects can be found on www.GYSD.org/stories_of_service. They include:

• An Austin, Texas 3^rd-grade class will make banners, practice speeches and work on brochures in preparation for their May 9 rally at the state capitol to raise awareness about childhood hunger.
• Santa Fe, New Mexico teens will stage a flash-mob in the downtown area to promote recycling and "green" living.
• An Atlanta, Georgia teen will build his region's first-ever Braille hiking trails.
• In Thessaly, Greece, teens will launch a campaign to protect Mount Pelion and earn its designation as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Monument.
• Across Cameroon, Peace Corps volunteers will work with the nation's youth to kick-off a country-wide human trafficking awareness campaign, "Youth in Action Against Child Trafficking and Exploitation."
• In La Libertad, El Salvador, the 15-year-old founder of the nonprofit "Shoeing" will hold events to collect and donate provide shoes to impoverished children.

Official Global Youth Service Day Partners span six continents and represent a network of non-governmental organizations committed to positive youth development through service. Many organizations leverage Global Youth Service Day to advance their causes, recruit new volunteers and fundraise.

"Global Youth Service Day shines a bright light on the unique perspective, compassion and creativity that young people contribute to their communities," said Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO of YSA (Youth Service America), the founder and chief convener of Global Youth Service Day. "Global Youth Service Day is a moment for young people to find their voice, take action, and serve not as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the leaders of today."

Global Youth Service Day was founded in 1988 by YSA (Youth Service America). YSA leads the GYSD campaign, issuing calls-to-action, mobilizing young people, and offering free tools to all who wish to participate. In support of GYSD and related service activities, YSA awards more than $1 million in grants annually to youth, schools and organizations.

Media Information:

Press releases and photography are available at www.GYSD.org/press_room. Information about projects happening in specific regions is available upon request.

Michelle Pendoley 
YSA (Youth Service America) ∣ Global Youth Service Day 
202-650-5064 ∣ Email

Follow @youthservice #GYSD  Like  www.facebook.com/youthserviceamerica

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Youth Service America