Volunteers of America Honors Senator Jeff Sessions and National Public Radio at National Conference

Volunteers of America Honors Senator Jeff Sessions and National Public Radio at National Conference

CINCINNATI, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Volunteers of America today honored Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and his wife, Mary, with its Ballington and Maud Booth Award for their personal commitment to serving others, especially those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. National Public Radio was also honored with the Empathy Award for outstanding community service and excellence in reporting on social issues. The Booth and Empathy awards were presented at an awards dinner during Volunteers of America's national conference entitled "Spark a Change!" that focused on how innovation, engagement and impact can affect social change and make a long-term difference for individuals and communities. Volunteers of America is one of the largest and most comprehensive human services organization in the country, and provides support to more than 2 million people in over 400 communities nationwide, including low-income seniors and families, people with disabilities, and at-risk children and youth.

"We wish to acknowledge Senator Sessions and his wife, Mary, for their humanitarian efforts, particularly for their hands-on assistance to the Gulf Coast hurricane victims, and support of many Volunteers of America programs in Alabama," said Charles Gould, national president and chief executive officer of Volunteers of America. "We also pay tribute to National Public Radio for its service to the community and excellence in reporting on pressing social issues, including its coverage on homeless veterans which is an important population served by Volunteers of America."

The Volunteers of America Booth award is named after Ballington and Maud Booth, who founded the organization in 1896 with a vision and a promise to "go wherever we are needed and do whatever comes to hand." Volunteers of America's Empathy Award honors those from all aspects of the communications field, including journalists, authors, news organizations, media foundations, as well as electronic and print media, Internet publishing, and film documentaries, who, through their reporting, writing, commentary, and efforts demonstrate an engaged, compassionate point of view on social issues.

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through thousands of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart-and ultimately the spirit-of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. For more information about Volunteers of America, visit http://www.volunteersofamerica.org/.

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Source: Volunteers of America

CONTACT: Julie Anderson of Volunteers of America, +1-703-341-5031,
jkanderson@voa.org

Web site:

http://www.volunteersofamerica.org/

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