Prestigious Award Honors Outstanding Commitment to Volunteer Service

San Diego, CA– Global Leadership Adventures today announced it has teamed with the White House to become a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service AwardGlobal Leadership Adventures is one of thousands of organizations that have joined forces to deliver the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and honor the volunteers who strengthen our Nation. As a Certifying Organization for the AWARD, Global Leadership Adventures is responsible for verifying service hours, nominating potential recipients and delivering the AWARD.

“We are extremely proud to recognize our most outstanding volunteers with the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD,” said Andrew H. Motiwalla, Executive Director of Global Leadership Adventures volunteers are role models in our community, donating their time, energy and talent to bring us closer together as neighbors and a Nation. The AWARD is our way of thanking these volunteers and inspiring everyone in our community to make volunteering a central part of their lives.”

“Even if you’ve never volunteered before, the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD is within your reach,” Motiwalla said. “There are so many ways to contribute, and every volunteer hour makes a difference in improving the quality of life for others. We encourage everyone to get involved and to bring along your family, friends and neighbors. Together, we can strengthen America – one hour at a time.”

The AWARD is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group convened by President George W. Bush and continued by President Barack Obama to help foster and encourage a culture of volunteer service and civic participation among Americans. Chaired by two-time Super Bowl Champion Darrell Green, with former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and John Glenn as honorary co-chairs, the Council is composed of leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofit and volunteer service organizations and community volunteering.

For more information about volunteering with Global Leadership Adventures, visit www.experienceGLA.com. For more information on the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD and to find out how to identify additional volunteer opportunities in this area, visit www.presidentialserviceawards.gov or call 1-866-545-5307.

Established in 2004 and headquartered in the U.S., Global Leadership Adventures has worked with hundreds of students from over 50 countries, inspiring teens between the ages of 15-18 all over the world to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it. The volunteer abroad programs provide a safe environment focused on human rights and community service. Global Leadership Adventures is part of Terra Education.

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“Make a career of humanity – and you will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote by Dr. King sums up Global Leadership Adventures’ mission. Beyond taking high school students on community service programs around the world, we simply want all students around the world to consider their role in the world and their responsibility to fellow human beings, regardless of nationality or culture.

Although 2009 was a difficult year due to the economic crisis, the events in Haiti have caused many people to reflect on how fortunate and blessed they are regardless of the tough economic times. Haiti has caused people to rally around a cause and donate even during tough times.

This reminds me of another quote, by Anne Frank: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

This Monday, on MLK Day of Service, we urge all students to consider their role in the world and their commitment to community service – not just on MLK Day – but throughout the year. Whether service is international or domestic or in your local neighborhood, there’s no better way to honor Dr. King’s legacy than joining hands in service to others.

Answer “life’s most persistent and urgent question,” as Dr. King called it, “What are you doing for others?” Make this Martin Luther King Day of Service a day on, not a day off.