USS Constitution Wins President's Volunteer Service Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- USS Constitution won the 2010 President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for community service, Feb. 22.

The PVSA is divided into three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Groups must volunteer a minimum of 1,000 hours of community service to qualify for the gold level.

Constitution Sailors volunteered 7,058 hours of community service in 2010 to win the gold level award.

"This award validates all the time and effort our Sailors dedicate to community service projects," said Cmdr. Timothy M. Cooper, Constitution's 71st commanding officer. "While the command facilitates these opportunities, this recognition is a direct result of our Sailors caring for and helping those who are less fortunate."

Constitution also won the 2009 PVSA for gold level.

"I am extremely proud that we won this award two years in a row," said Cryptologic Technician Technical 2nd Class Jacob Wallace, Constitution's volunteer program coordinator. "This is just another way to demonstrate Constitution gives back more to the public than tours of our ship."

Established in 2003, the PVSA is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering.

The PVSA is issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the president of the United States to recognize the best in the American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation.

"I feel honored that my volunteer efforts have helped the command get recognized," said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Melissa Santiago, who volunteered 169 hours in 2010. "This is an amazing achievement and speaks highly of the work we have done and will continue to do in the future."

Constitution also won the Commander, Navy Region (COMNAVREG) Middle Atlantic (MIDLANT) Good Neighbor Flagship award for small shore commands in 2010. COMNAVREG MIDLANT gives the award to commands that have the best year-round community service program or special project that encourages activities to provide humanitarian assistance to the less fortunate.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard of Boston Harbor. She is the world's oldest

commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.

For more information on Constitution, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.