AmeriCorps Night with Real Salt Lake

AmeriCorps members recognized for their service

SANDY UTAH- Real Salt Lake is teaming up with the Utah Commission on Volunteers and the State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service to celebrate AmeriCorps Week when they take on the Houston Dynamo at Rio Tinto Stadium, Thursday May 13 at 7 p.m.

The Utah Commission on Volunteers will participate in Carnival Real prior to the match from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a booth highlighting volunteerism and the AmeriCorps program. In addition, AmeriCorps Week will be featured during a halftime program with key program members participating on the pitch.

Since 1994, more than 9,500 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “Get Things Done for America,” serving more than 8.23 million hours at 87 nonprofit and community organizations. These programs address problems in our communities – from tutoring youth to preparing communities for disaster to helping the medically underserved – they build capacity of the nonprofit sector to better serve Utah.

WHO:

AmeriCorps members, Alumni, State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service staff and Commission on Volunteers staff WHAT:

AmeriCorps Night with Real Salt Lake WHEN:

Thursday, May 13 at 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. WHERE:

Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy Utah INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

are available after the half-time declaration presentation.

Governor’s Declaration Kicks-Off AmeriCorps Week in Utah

Lt. Governor Greg Bell Shines Spotlight on Impact of AmeriCorps Service

SALT LAKE CITY- Utah will join the nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across Utah. Lt. Governor Greg Bell will read the Governor’s Declaration of AmeriCorps Week on Tuesday, May 11^th at 10:30am in the Gold Room of the State Capitol surrounded by AmeriCorps and VISTA members from local programs.

“I am honored to recognize our state’s AmeriCorps members for their outstanding service and extraordinary contributions,” said Lt. Governor Greg Bell. “Through their service lives and communities are being transformed.”

Since 1994, more than 9,500 Utahns have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to “get thing done for America,” serving more than 8.23 million hours at 87 nonprofit and community organizations. These programs address real problems in our communities – from tutoring youth to preparing communities for disaster to helping the medically underserved – they build capacity of the nonprofit sector to better serve Utah.

“AmeriCorps Week is more than a way to honor AmeriCorps members for their great achievements,” said Shar Lewis, Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Volunteers. “It’s an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact these AmeriCorps programs are making in our state.”

Following the AmeriCorps Week Proclamation members will gather at the Tomato Garden in Salt Lake City for a service project to beautify the community and youth gardens. Additional service projects are taking place around the state.

WHO: Lt. Governor Greg Bell and AmeriCorps members

WHAT: AmeriCorps Week Proclamation

WHEN: Tuesday, May 11 at 10:30am

WHERE: Gold Room at the State Capitol

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES are available after the proclamation presentation with:

• Shar Lewis, Executive Director, Utah Commission on Volunteers – impact of volunteerism in Utah
• LaDawn Stoddard, AmeriCorps Program Manager, Utah Commission on Volunteers – AmeriCorps programs in Utah and member impact
• Jake Murakami, AmeriCorps State Program Director, Corporation for National and Community Service – a national perspective
• April Durrant, AmeriCorps State Program Officer, Corporation for National and Community Service – AmeriCorps VISTA programs in Utah and member impact
• Rich Parks, AmeriCorps Program Manager, Salt Lake County Community Resources and Development – Homeless/Refugee AmeriCorps Program
• Caitlin Jenkins, AmeriCorps VISTA leader, Center for the School of the Future –  impact on Education

 

VISUALS: Lt. Governor and AmeriCorps members at proclamation presentation at the Capitol followed by a service project at the Tomato Garden, 800 South 600 East in Salt Lake City. Contact Caitlin Jenkins at 801.472.1287 for details on the service project and onsite interviews.

PRESS KIT AVAILABLE: A press kit will be provided at the proclamation presentation including a copy of the AmeriCorps Week Proclamation, AmeriCorps Fact Sheet, and a Program List with summary of AmeriCorps and VISTA programs in Utah.

ADDITIONAL AMERICORPS WEEK ACTIVITIES: AmeriCorps Night at REAL Salt Lake on Thursday, May 13^th at 7pm at the Rio Tinto Stadium. Contact at the Commission on Volunteers for more details.

The mission of the Utah Commission on Volunteers, an office of the Lieutenant Governor, is to improve communities through service and volunteering. For more information on the Commission on Volunteers, and various volunteering opportunities across the state, log onto www.volunteers.utah.gov.

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