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University of Phoenix and HandsOn Network Celebrate Outstanding Service with the University of Phoenix(TM) Volunteer Leader Award

University of Phoenix and HandsOn Network Celebrate Outstanding Service with the University of Phoenix(TM) Volunteer Leader Award

Published 04-20-10

Submitted by Points of Light

In celebration of the first anniversary of the landmark Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, University of Phoenix and HandsOn Network are honoring 10 outstanding volunteer leaders with the University of Phoenix Volunteer Leader Award.

The award is given each year to individuals who motivate others and are true catalysts for change in their communities. The honorees, who were nominated by the public and selected by a diverse panel of judges, exemplify leadership, vision, creativity and generosity. These volunteer leaders will be honored during National Volunteer Week, a signature event of Points of Light Institute. The National Volunteer week theme is "Celebrating People in Action," recognizing individuals who take action to solve significant problems in their communities. The week also commemorates the Serve America Act, the most expansive service legislation in decades.

"This year's honorees are remarkable examples of self-directed volunteers who have taken action to improve their communities. They are wonderful examples of the power of citizen leaders to activate and mobilize people and change," said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light Institute and co-founder of HandsOn Network. "We are so grateful to University of Phoenix for joining us in recognizing the importance and power of these change agents."

University of Phoenix Volunteer Leader Award Honorees
The 10 University of Phoenix Volunteer Leader Award Honorees are dedicated to a range of causes and are excellent examples of the power of volunteerism. Collectively, as agents of positive change in the world, they represent this generation's volunteer leaders.

The top honoree, Doris Turner, received $15,000 to donate to the organization of her choice and will be recognized at the first-ever LEAD - A Get HandsOn! Summit. This all-day gathering of volunteer leaders, presented by University of Phoenix and HandsOn Network, will address how best to use new technology for social good. It will take place at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., on April 20 during National Volunteer Week.

Doris will donate the funds to Hannah's Socks, a nonprofit inspired by her young daughter, Hannah. While volunteering with her mother at a shelter, Hannah was moved by a gentleman she encountered. The man's feet were exposed through his broken shoes, and he was not wearing socks. The Turner family decided to act so Doris and her husband founded Hannah's Socks to provide much-needed undergarments to shelters in Midwestern states.

Said Doris, "Hannah's Socks began as a dream. It was a dream that I saw through my young daughter's eyes. The compassion that I saw that day in her became my heartfelt mission. I couldn't let her down."

Nine additional honorees received $10,000 for the charitable organizations of their choice. These individuals include:


  • Charles Bell (Livermore, CO) founded Poudre Wilderness Volunteers, an environmental organization dedicated to education and conservation of U.S. Forest Service lands;

  • Sejal Hathi (Freemont, CA) founded Girls Helping Girls, an international organization that connects girls around the world to develop social change;

  • Katy Keck (New York, NY) serves as a volunteer leader with Infinite Family, an organization that uses online video-based mentoring to connect teens and pre-teens in South Africa with adult mentors from all over the world;

  • Carla Koren (Berkeley, CA) created Super Stars Literacy, a successful after-school program offering supplementary literacy education to help children build a foundation for lifelong learning and achievement;

  • Capt. J.R. "CC" Kreglo (St. Thomas, USVI) identifies and fills unmet volunteer and resource needs that are critical in addressing health, education, and public safety issues;

  • Monica Orluk (Elizabeth, PA) demonstrates appreciation for deployed United States Armed Forces members in her role as Vice President for Operation Troop Appreciation;

  • Rickie Santer (Levittown, NY) develops thousands of civic leaders and inspires a passion for community service through his role as the acting New York District Circle K Lt. Governor;

  • Kenneth Trinh (Oakland, CA) volunteers with OASES to offer students with limited resources additional support with education, mentorship and service;

  • Linda Watts (Leesburg, FL) founded Florida's Hometown USA to encourage elementary through high school students to become involved in volunteering.

"We are proud to honor each of these outstanding individuals and excited to see what they will continue to accomplish as volunteer leaders in their communities," said Bill Pepicello, president, University of Phoenix. "By celebrating these inspirational leaders, University of Phoenix and HandsOn Network hope that others will be motivated to serve in their communities."

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of February 28, 2010, 458,600 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.

About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers in 16 countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating meaningful change in their communities. Annually, the network delivers approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at about $600 million. For more information, please visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org.

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Points of Light

Points of Light

Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service each year, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. To learn more about Points of Light visit pointsoflight.org

Partnering with Points of Light means you’ll have the expertise and support you need to mobilize your colleagues and create community impact using all aspects of civic engagement. We've helped companies with a variety of needs including implementing large-scale employee volunteer events, tackling your larger social impact vision, expanding how you engage communities and consumers, infusing new ideas to your annual employee engagement programs, connecting with peers to bring the latest and greatest ideas on impact measurement, and getting company leadership investment and buy-in. Learn more today.

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