Thacker Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Mena, AR- Ty Thacker, 12, a 7th grade student of Mena Middle School and Iron’s Fork 4-H, has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Mena Middle School nominated Ty for national honors this fall in recognition of his volunteer service.

Ty is a member of Iron’s Fork 4-H and has volunteered for numerous activities including serving at this year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner. He is also a member of Grace Bible Church and helps with the Awana Program as a volunteer each Monday night of the week. Ty is an exemplary student and these are just a few highlights of the volunteer events Ty has participated in this last year.

In its 25th year, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

“Across the United States, young volunteers are doing remarkable things to contribute to the well-being of the people and communities around them,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO Charles Lowery. “Prudential is honored to celebrate the contributions of these students, and we hope their stories inspire others to volunteer, too.”

“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”

Prudential Spirit of Community Award application details were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross Chapters, YMCAs, and Points of Light Global Network members. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advanced for state-level judging. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards selected Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including initiative effort, impact and personal growth.