To earn an award, individuals, families and groups must keep a record of volunteer activities and hours served. This Record of Service may be kept as a diary or calendar or tracked online using the USA Freedom Corps Record of Service.

Individuals must submit their records to “certifying organizations” that will review and verify their records and order and distribute the award. Nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, schools and colleges, membership and trade associations, and federal, state or local government agencies can all serve as certifying organizations.

To be recognized, service activities should meet national or community needs in the areas of youth achievement*, parks and open spaces**, healthy communities***, and public safety and emergency response****.

Activities should be unpaid and may not include court-ordered community service.

View the Awards

*Youth Achievement

Includes volunteer activities such as mentoring, coaching, tutoring, improving literacy in areas such as reading and finance, and volunteering to keep young people engaged academically in education.

**Parks and Open Spaces

Includes volunteer efforts to conserve and protect our parklands and gardens, neighborhood cleanups and creating safe playgrounds. It also includes creating safe and meaningful experiences and outdoor activities for individuals to enjoy the environment and our natural resources.

***Healthy Communities