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McKenzie Mayor Lester Odom proclaimed March 12-18 AmeriCorps Week on March 14, urging town citizens to thank  volunteers who give back to their communities through the organization.

The community gathered at McKenzie school on National Service Recognition Day to proclaim the week in honor of current AmeriCorps members, alumni and senior volunteers, recognizing their ongoing service as the hallmark of American charter.

“Service is a hallmark of the American character and has the unique ability to bring people of all backgrounds together in common cause, and throughout our history citizens have stepped up to meet our most pressing challenges of the day by volunteering in their communities,” Odom wrote in the proclamation.

AmeriCorps Instructional Support Team Program Director, Kathy Tolin said the week focuses on recognized citizens across the country who choose to serve through the organization.

“During AmeriCorps Week March 12-18, 2023, we recognize the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, and encourage more Americans to follow in their footsteps in service,” Tolin said.

According to Tolin, the AmeriCorps Instructional Support Team members work in Butler County School System with pre-k through 12th grade students in all schools – McKenzie, Georgiana, Greenville High, Greenville Middle, Greenville Elementary, W.O. Parmer Elementary and in the Bright Beginnings Pre-K Program.

“Across the country, AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers continue to come together to bring hope, healing and possibility to communities when they need it most,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “Not only do our members and volunteers have a transformational impact in our schools, community centers, food banks and great outdoors – but for decades, our alumni also have become the next generation’s innovators and change-makers in academia, global corporations, national social good organizations and public service fields. I’m grateful for the thousands of Americans – from elected officials to grateful neighbors – who will stand up this week and recognize the profound contribution of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers.” 

AmeriCorps programs provide volunteer opportunities for more than 200,000 Americans to serve in nonprofit organizations, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups nationwide. In Alabama, more than 7,200 members and volunteers across diverse ages and backgrounds help to meet local needs at over 6– locations, responding to COVID-19, tutoring or mentoring children and youth, supporting veterans and military families, combating the opioid epidemic, restoring the environment and responding to disasters.

The town’s proclamation recognized the collaboration and partnerships leveraged by AmeriCorps in service as well as the support the organization cultivates from local businesses, foundations, and other local partners to increase the effectiveness of volunteer efforts.

“AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs bring people together across race, age, and zip code to address critical issues facing the country, forge relationships, and cultivate mutual respect and help build resilient and thriving communities,” Odom wrote.

Proclaiming March 12-18 allowed McKenzie citizens to recognize the dedication and commitment of the more than 1.2 million Americans who serve through AmeriCorps. City leaders encourage McKenzie residents to follow in the footsteps of the organization’s volunteers by choosing to serve within the community.