Recognizing the month of April 2017 as "National Volunteer Month," to honor the dedicated service that volunteer workers provide to Philadelphia communities and across the country.

WHEREAS, A volunteer is a person that is altruistic and provides services for no financial gain

,

in order to benefit another person, group, organization, or community. The service provided on behalf of volunteers seeks to promote goodness and improves the quality of human life; and

WHEREAS,

National Volunteer Month highlights community service and the positive impact it has in our communities.

Additionally,

National Volunteer Month provides a great opportunity to reflect on how much volunteerism has changed since President Nixon created the first National Volunteer Week in 1974; and

WHEREAS, People of all ages can volunteer, and anyone can, through the smallest of acts, do their part to improve the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, Volunteers serve in national parks, public schools, food pantries and animal shelters. In crisis and disaster, volunteers offer not only goods and resources, but also understanding and sympathy to those desperate and distraught. In underserved neighborhoods, volunteers help cultivate hope and inspiration, rolling back poverty and roadblocks to opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Generations of these often unsung heroes — driven by the notion that each of us has a stake in one another— have lifted up those they know and those they do not, making our City, nation and world a better place; and

WHEREAS, Volunteers are the back bone and the heart and soul of many non

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profit organizations, social service agencies, and community advocacy groups. We celebrate their spirit as role models and community members making a positive impact as engaged and deeply committed volunteers; and

WHEREAS,

National Volunteer Month recognizes the dedication and hard work of these individuals who work to make Philadelphia better. These v

olunteers invest their time and talent to resolve the most pressing issues facing our communities; and

WHEREAS, With recognition of April 2017 as National Volunteer Month, we recognize those who give themselves to help others, because we are a stronger City and nation when we all pitch in; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes the month of April 2017 as National Volunteer Month, to honor the dedicated service that volunteer workers provide to Philadelphia communities and across the country

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